The fundamental point of convergence between the various religious communities that rub shoulders in Lebanon lies within their same devotion to the Virgin Mary.
The Marian culture, which brings together Christians and Muslims around the figure of Mary, has brought down many religious barriers, and so, Lebanon became the only country in the world whose initiatives of tolerance and interreligious dialogue have resulted in the official institution of a national holiday celebrated on the occasion of the feast of the Annunciation.
Back in March 2007, more than a decade ago, for the first time more than a thousand people from all communities had gathered to pray to the Virgin Mary, a sign of genuine conviviality between Christians and Muslims for whom the Blessed Virgin embodies a bridge that reconciles religious differences.
Following the success of this event, Prime Minister Saad Hariri decrees, in 2010, March 25 “National Day for Christian-Muslim Dialogue” and proclaims it a national holiday. This ceremony, that became an annual spiritual meeting, gathered on Monday, March 25, 2019, in the Grand Serail, high Lebanese dignitaries alongside the president of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta, Mr. Marwan Sehnaoui, and Mr. François Abi Saab, Advisor to the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Lebanon, to salute this interreligious dialogue and the spirit of coexistence, which are reflected in the heart of the activities of the Order of Malta.
