On February 17, Tripoli resounded with gun salutes, fireworks and rhythmic shouting as residents celebrated the one-year anniversary of the uprising in Libya that ended Muammar Gaddafi's 42 years in power. But between the fanfare, Christian leaders emphasized the need for widespread reconciliation and sustained work for peace to end the unstable situation in Libya.
"The people seem much happier than last year in October (when Gaddafi was captured). They are more spontaneous, happy and relieved. They are positive despite the security situation they are facing, but we need to keep praying and focusing on peace and reconciliation," Father Daniel Farrugia, Vicar General of Tripoli, told ENInews.
The church has not suffered much damage
The uprisings against Gaddafi began in earnest in February last year. After Gaddafi's death on October 20, Christian leaders expressed concern that an Islamic takeover would have a negative effect on the Christian community, as has happened in other North African countries and the Middle East.
But Farrugia explains that the church has survived the war and will continue its work and mission. "The church has not suffered so much damage and its members are now returning, especially the Filipinos and Africans. But the families have still not returned," he says.
According to Reverend Kosti Ketola, an Anglican leader at Christ the King Church in Tripoli, church leaders individually supported the celebrations. "The situation is changing and people are slowly coming back to the churches. The guns have disappeared from the streets, but the challenge is to care for the people," said Ketola, whose church has served an international congregation of Indians, Pakistanis, Egyptians and Nigerians.
Before the war, members of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches, as well as some Pentecostal churches, made up three percent of the population. The Libyan people, who are mainly moderate Muslims, maintained tolerance towards these churches during the revolution. They were never told to shut down or move, according to church leaders.
Dialogue must continue
Leaders say they are keen to continue the interfaith dialog, which is cited as the reason why Christian leaders and their churches were safe during the war. Under the old regime, an active dialog between the different faiths thrived. Leaders are confident that the new regime will respect religious freedom. The authorities are currently working to gain control of the country as many weapons are still in the hands of militias and the civilian population and lawlessness prevails in many areas.
Source: ENInews
