We had just prepared our letter to loved ones in America. Corona is spreading everywhere, I wrote, but we are on lockdown, and perhaps safer here than we would be in the States. We have money, food, and good relations with neighbors. We plan to stick it out here. And then the announcement was issued … Continue reading
This article was first published at Christianity Today, on January 28, 2020. Middle East Christians might shrug their shoulders. They might even fret and worry. But perhaps Qassem Soleimani got what he deserved. “We regret what happened. We do not want anyone to die, because Christianity wants the good of all,” said Ashty Bahro, former … Continue reading
This article was first published at Christianity Today on November 27. Does a revolution need a leader? As the rocks rained down near the tent of Ras Beirut Baptist Church’s effort to discuss the question, suddenly the faith of the Christians gathered there was put to the test. For the past month, Lebanese evangelicals have … Continue reading
This article was first published at Christianity Today, on November 8. At first, it was two high school girls. The education minister in Lebanon had just canceled classes nationwide due to an explosion of popular anger at proposed taxes. Public squares in Beirut and other cities swelled with demonstrations. The two students asked Steve White, … Continue reading
This article was first published at Christianity Today on November 16, 2017. Before the crown prince of Saudi Arabia stunned the world with his sudden arrest of dozens of fellow princes and millionaires on corruption charges, he stunned many Christians with his stated desire to moderate its version of Islam, commonly dubbed Wahhabism. Saudi Arabia … Continue reading
God, Some people have a project. Others like to project. And some just like to sing. Judge between them, God. Their intentions and their cause. An upscale district in Cairo invited a popular Lebanese band to a concert festival. The lead singer is well known as a homosexual. Some in the crowd raised a rainbow … Continue reading
This article was first published at Christianity Today, on June 22, 2017. For most American Christians, Ramadan is a novelty; something heard of, but rarely seen. For Middle Eastern Christians, it is everywhere. For some, it is an annoyance. The month-long fast from sunrise to sunset can make for a cranky Muslim neighbor. Productivity tends … Continue reading
This article was first published in the April print edition of Christianity Today. The deadliest incident faced by the persecuted church last Christmas wasn’t radical Islamists. It was alcohol. Liquor mixed with aftershave killed about 50 people at Christmas parties in a Pakistani village, and sickened about 100 more. In Pakistan, as in many Muslim-majority … Continue reading
In traditional Islamic terminology the caliph is known as amir al-mu’mineen, or, the prince of the believers. In this new music video, Shaban Abdel Rahim adjusts the Arabic slightly to call him amir al-mugrimeen, the prince of criminals. The video blasts the Islamic State for its conduct, and declares Islam to be innocent of their … Continue reading
If you’d like a look at me in action, a friend found this video from a few months ago. I simply stand, and mouth the words to the Nicene Creed along with the rest of the Syrian Orthodox congregation. The occasion was the installment of Pope Tawadros; representatives of this sister Oriental Orthodox Church were … Continue reading
From my new article in Arab West Report: Egypt is not Lebanon. Though the political transition leads increasingly to polarization and bouts of violence, almost no one seriously warns of a fate resembling Lebanon in the 1970-80s. Lebanon is a conglomeration of religious sects concentrated in distinct geographical areas and topographical terrain. Egypt is one … Continue reading
