Public Discourse in Wartime: Toward a Dialogue to Curb Hate Speech

The Middle East Council of Churches organized a seminar entitled "Public Discourse in Wartime: Toward a Dialogue to Curb Hate Speech," under the Council's "Light of Hope" initiative launched in response to the grave security events facing Lebanon and the Middle East. Secretary General Michel Abs delivered an address entitled "Hatred and Demonization Between Discourse and Practice," in which he said: "Today we are dealing with a sensitive and dangerous issue sweeping through our contemporary life, threatening stability, and forming a social time bomb — demonization and hate speech. In an age of great migrations, voluntary and forced, of population mixing, of the internet and social media, the spread of information has become rapid, but it has at the same time created a fertile environment for negative ideas, prejudices, and vilification between individuals and communities." The seminar brought together, remotely and in person, spiritual and religious leaders and media experts, including Monsignor Abdo Abou Kasm, Metropolitan Elias Kfoury, former minister Abbas Al Halabi, Sheikh Rabih Qabbani, and Sheikh Judge Mohammad Al-Nokkari; candles were lit during the seminar for the intention of peace in Lebanon, the Middle East, and the world.