The Chaplaincy in Libya, PO box 6626 Tripoli, Libya
Contact Rev Hamdy Daoud, Priest in charge
Tel 218 21 4449302(office), 218 21 3335290(church), 218 21 4449344(fax)
The Arabic and English speaking congregations meet jointly for weekly times of prayer. They have close contacts with the Islamic Call Society engendering a spirit of mutual understanding which has led to an enjoyment of religious freedom for the congregations.
Rev Hamdy writes:-
A reflection on our experience as a church during the time of the Libyan revolution
To be presented to Mrs. Amy Frykholm, the writer of the Christian Century magazine
Please tell us about your background, theological training?
1. Diploma in Biblical studies from the Evangelical Presbyterian seminary in Cairo 1990
2. Diploma in ministerial theology from Chichister theological college, England 1994
How long you have been at Christ the King in Tripoli and what your role is there.
I have been in the church since March 2008 and I have been the priest in charge for three years
Tell us about your congregation. Who are they, were they before the start of the conflict?
I have multinational congregation, Indians, Pakistani, Nigerians and Egyptians. We had many different Westerners before the uprising.
What are/were your ministries like and how have they changed in recent months?
We used have two main English services on Friday and Sunday every week. On Friday after the 10.30 service we used have Asian fellowship and worship, conducted by our Indian priest, Fr. Vasihar and another African fellowship, conducted by our Nigerian lay ministers. On Friday Evening we used have Arabic worship meeting for Egyptians, Syrians, Lebanese, conducted by myself, as I am Egyptian priest!
We used have during the week prayer, bible study, leaders prayer meetings, in English. We used to have also during the week prayer and bible study meetings, in Arabic. We used have home bible study for Westerners, conducted by our Canadian priest, Fr. Kosti Ketola. Now we have only English and Arabic service
What was the atmosphere in your church like before the crisis? It was lovely and dynamic church. It was lovely to see many nationalities in the church; it is a small picture of the church in heaven!
What was your church’s position vis-à-vis the government?
Very well recognized and appreciated.
What happened to your congregation during the conflict?
Many of them went back home. Few of them went to Italy. Some people lost their jobs because many companies, schools, Embassies, organizations were closed down. I praise God for those who stayed with us during the conflict.
How did you pastor them?
Through Pastoral visits, financial and prayer support as well as preaching God's word, (series of sermons) from the epistle to the Hebrews. I found this epistle very relevant and encouraging one, for those who live and suffering in a strange land, and especially for those who are tempted to abandon their faith in Christ and God's assembly in difficult times. On Sundays, I was preaching according to our church lectionary.
What were the most difficult moments?
When a Nigerian girl from my church came to me asking for 100.00 Libyan Dinar to help her to go to Italy by ship; she told me: Please help me with this amount of money; the ship is getting ready to go to Italy, and THIS IS MY LAST HOPE!
What were the most beautiful moments?
Off course when we saw Libyans were so happy of their deliverance.
How did you feel that God was working during this time?
Through His Word, he was always encouraging us that he was and would be in control. He gave me the relevant words for preaching and encouraging his people. Through his wonderful peace he has given us to face our testing time and uncertainties with faith and hope.
But the most important thing was that all churches in Libya were kept safe. Nobody asked us to close the churches or even evacuate! We should appreciate our Libyan brothers and thank God for their tolerance to the other faith during their difficult situation!
We praise the Lord for protecting us by his love and grace. His faithfulness is infallible and his mercy endures forever! Praise and glory be to his precious name.
During the revolution in Egypt, we saw a lot of cooperation between Christians and Muslims. Was/Is the same true in Libya?
Yes, we as Christian leaders showed our fellow Libyans our love and solidarity by praying for them continually. We encouraged our people to stay and do their best at their work, especially doctors, nurses, teachers…etc
What do you see in the future of Christian/Muslim relations?
We are very keen to continue our Christian- Muslim dialogue. We believe that dialogue narrows the gap between people of different faith. We also trust that dialogue should work for the development of men and providing social needs
What is your church’s relationship like with other Christian churches in Libya?
We praise God; we have very good relationship with all other churches. We conduct monthly an ecumenical lunch for prayer, sharing common things and growing in faith and fellowship together
What do you envision for the future of Libya? What are the most significant dangers the country faces now? How do you see the role of Christians?
Muslims have always been in Libya are moderates and I am expecting Libyans to continue to be the same. Libya is the first Arabic Islamic country who initiated interfaith dialogue with great respect, and I pray that this will continue to be a very good example, be set before the rest of the Islamic world!
At the end I would like to thank all the Saints of Christ who lifted us up with prayers before the God's mercy seat. I would also like to give all glory to our God who answers our prayers and hears our cry. He is powerful in fulfilling all his promises. He is a great help in time of troubles.
Let me please share with your readers these words from Hebrews 4: 14-16. St. Paul says:
"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all [points] tempted as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need"
I liked this reflection on this small passage, it says:
The Throne of Grace to the unsaved is a throne of judgment (Rev. 20:11-15); but to God's children, it is a throne of grace. In time of testing, you can come to your great high priest for mercy and grace. If you sin, you can come to your advocate for forgiveness (1Jn 1: 9- 2: 2).
In Tripoli we have been encouraged every day to come to the Way, Christ; and we have found His mercy for forgiveness and grace for survival!
Praise God, the way is always open! And the choice is yours right now!
The Lord be with you
Kosti (Gus) Ketola wrote:-
Anglican Christians Experience Libyan Generosity
Friday the 9th of March was a historic day for Anglicans and other Christians living in Libya. The Libyan Government with the help of the Islamic Call Society handed over the historic building of the church of St. Mary’s to the Episcopal Anglican Church in Tripoli.
The church is situated in the beautiful Old City of Tripoli and was first built in the fifteenth century. This historic section of Tripoli contains among other monuments two churches, several old mosques and one synagogue, a historic witness to the ability of how the children of Abraham from different faiths have lived together in peace and harmony in an Islamic country.
The re-consecration of the church was led by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Mouneer Anis the bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt and North Africa.
Bishop Anis invited the Roman Catholic Bishop of Tripoli the Rt. Rev. J. Martinelli to join in the re consecration. The Greek Orthodox bishop and other church leaders participated in this outstanding ecumenical event which was conducted in Arabic and English. Mr. Ibrahim Rabu representing the Islamic Call Society, as well as the British, Egyptian, other ambassadors and around three hundred worshippers celebrated this event together.
The Anglican, Roman Catholic and the Greek Orthodox bishops consecrated the sanctuary by sprinkling water with an olive branch. The Anglican choir and the Catholic Sisters of Charity enriched the worship with their singing.
This ceremony marked the official opening of the church for worship. In his sermon Bishop Anis expressed his gratitude to the Libyan leader Colonel Gadafi and Dr. Mohammad El Sharif Secretary General of the World Islamic Call Society for this great gift that affirms the religious tolerance of the Libyan people.
Deacon Kosti H. Ketola Episcopal/Anglican Church of Tripoli.
.jPG)
