The volume "A Monk as Hostage: The Struggle for Peace of a Prisoner of Jihadists," written by the monk of the Mar Musa community and a Syrian Catholic priest of the diocese of Homs (Syria), is an insight into the Christians of the East; it is "a testimony of faith through the life experience of Father Jacques Mourad," but it is also about the "power of prayer." During the book's presentation in Rome, the founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio, Andrea Riccardi, said that "Islam is not all the same," and that there are "Muslims who give their lives to bring Christians out of the control of Daesh" and to "initiate the dialogue of life, by showing that it is not impossible" to be together.
The book’s volume discusses the terrible war in Syria, the possible coexistence between Christians and Muslims, and the peaceful resistance of a monk who, in the name of his Christian faith, radically rejects all violence. That priest is Father Jacques, who -discussing precisely with Riccardi in the headquarters of the Trastevere community- describes the book as "a testimony of faith not only mine but of the Christians of the East," through the strength that "comes to us from our saints and our martyrs," and even from the encounter with Father Dall'Oglio whose vocation "is a prophecy for all of us."
Father Mourad recounts in this volume that imprisonment becomes "grace," because "precisely when you have nothing in the desert, you are alone with God and prayer becomes freedom." For this reason, besides Father Mourad’s "lucid testimony," Riccardi emphasized how the book recalls "the importance of personal prayer and the prayer of others that does not abandon you in difficulties," as it also reiterates "the value of prayer for peace, for all abductees like Father Paul, it is spiritual history that is alive in captivity and forever."
And what do Christians in the East need in the future? Father Mourad answered by saying "Dignity and awareness.” It is the idea of being free Christians to create a dialogue with Islam and live with it.
Alessia Guerrieri in L'Avvenire 06.19:2019 - translation by staff
