Lebanon – Institute of Middle East Studies

This project helps to fund the Middle Eastern Consultation (MEC) conference. The MEC is an annual event that allows participants from different parts of the world to engage in enriching discussions through high-quality presentations from multiple perspectives, interfaith forums, personal testimonies and intimate breakout sessions. It provides a unique opportunity for them to reflect upon religious diversity and social issues facing the region. For the past 18 years, the MEC has been equipping participants to “respond in prophetic and Christ-like ways to the many challenges facing Christians and Muslims in and beyond the Middle East.” Under the leadership of faculty, MEC still seeks to provide innovative ways to adapt to modern circumstances and respond to the needs of the Church and its communities by facilitating important discourses for followers of Christ, among which is interfaith dialogue. Theologians and practitioners share research and personal experiences to help shed light on issues of faith and society. This is integral to the Arab Church as it learns to reach out to its diverse communities with the love of Christ rather than focus on interfaith relationship exclusively.