Final Clarification from Rev. Hubers to IMRA: SANA report of Reform Church
visit is accurate

Dr. Aaron Lerner 16 October 2003

Earlier this week IMRA ran this item and contacted the Rev. John Hubers of
the Reformed Church in America ["Hewpers" in the SANA report] by e-mail
asking if a Syria News Agency report of his delegation's meeting with
President Assad was accurate. Hubers is filing reports on the trip on the
Church website www.rca.org .]:

According to the SANA report "Members of the delegation expressed strong
condemnation of the Israeli aggression on the Syrian lands, and their
gratitude of the atmosphere of religious tolerance in Syria. They also
voiced appreciation of President Assad's care and support to all forms of
dialogue among religions."

The following exchange clarifies what transpired:

#1 Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003

Dear Dr. Lerner,

Just to give you a better idea of what actually transpired in our visit I
share with you a diary entry I sent to interested parties back in the
States. This was written before your question arose so you will get the
sense of what our visit was about:

We cruised on over to Syria today which is a pretty good description of how
we got there. Lebanese taxi drivers don't drive, they cruise. Weak stomachs
need not apply.

There were only three of our group in this contingent because the first
item on our agenda was a visit to the presidential palace for an audience
with the president of Syria, his excellency Bashar al Assad (we're learning
to use proper titles here--many of our visits have been with ranking
officials in church and state where mister simply won't do). Our group was
too large for a state visit. Only three were allowed. The others had a great
day in the Bekaa Valley including a visit to the amazing ruins of Baalbek,
so I can say that in both cases a good time was had by all.

We were taken to the palace in style--presidential drivers picking us up at
the Sheraton Hotel to whisk us up a hill to the palace which overlooks the
city. Once there we were ushered into a huge marble lined hall leading up to
the president's sitting room. It was red carpet all the way, a deep pile
which smooshed beneath our feet as we made our way to the presidential
presence.

Having followed Syrian politics in recent years I knew something about the
president, noting that he had recently succeeded his father who died several
years ago. What I wasn't prepared for was his evident humility, good humor,
and perceptive grasp of not only world politics (which would be expected)
but church history, as well. He began by giving us a brief history of
Christianity in Syria, noting that Jesus taught in the area of Syria now
occupied by Israel (the Golan Heights). What he wanted us to know is that
Christianity had been and continues to be a vital part of Syria's story both
before and after the rise of Islam. "Pluralism has always been an important
part of who we are," he said.

He next pointed out with some passion that too many people today on both
sides of the equation--Christian and Muslim--were confusing religion and
politics. Later he clarified this to say that religion must always have a
role to play in politics, but that it shouldn't take on the guise of
politics, religion being used (or better "misused") to push a clearly
political agenda. This, he said, was causing many problems today, speaking
here not only of the Palestinian issue, but also the extremism of people
like Osama bin Laden. He noted that bin Laden tried to link his extremist
cause to the Palestinian issue, with the result that many Americans wrongly
came to equate the Palestinian struggle for liberation with a movement which
had nothing to do with it. "This is not Islam," he said. "This is a
perversion of our faith."

The president wanted us to know that he rejected this kind of extremism,
opting instead for dialogue between Islam and Christianity--not the dialogue
of academia, but the dialogue of life which has been practiced in Syria for
many years. "This should be the basis of all our relations, both religious
and political," he said. He was clearly grieved that our current
administration seemed to be less interested in dialogue than dictating to
other countries its terms with no room for compromise--"you're either with
us or against us!" "This is something new," he said. "Previous
administrations were much more statesman--like in their dealings with other
nations."

The president went on to talk about Christian-Muslim relations in Syria
being a possible model for other countries. The fact that the MECC general
secretary, who is himself a Syrian Christian, has regular access to the
president, as well as testimonies from other Syrian Christian leaders we met
today, gives credence to this assertion. A Catholic patriarch we would meet
later that day spoke about the policy of the government to set aside land
for churches whenever a mosque was built to make sure that both communities
get equal treatment. I've heard similar testimony on other occasions--that
Syria is one of the best places in the Middle East to be Christian.

What president Assad spoke so passionately about echoes other things we had
heard from Christian leaders in Egypt, Lebanon and now Syria--that it is
crucial that there be more face to face meetings between Arabs, both
Christian and Muslim, and western Christians to discount the stereotypes
which harm our relations. Again and again he came back to the theme of
dialogue as the only way to move forward in the resolution of conflicts
which are currently dividing our communities.

All four of us weighed in on the conversation, expressing our desire as
Christians to help build better relations between Christians and Muslims,
facilitating whenever possible the kind of dialogue that can help us move
beyond the "clash of civilization" talk that perpetuates conflict. He was
clearly appreciative of what we had to say, not only here, but also in Wes'
speech. "A friend in Beirut told me about your speech," he said. "It was a
very good talk for which I am most appreciative." (a reminder that words
matter in this part of the world perhaps more than anywhere else.)

We were with president Assad for nearly an hour and a half and could have
been there longer as he obviously enjoyed our visit, finding it particularly
timely given moves by our Congress to impose punishing sanctions on his
country. People in this part of the world look to religious leaders as
important players in political matters. We left hoping that the trust he is
putting in the Christian community in the West to help facilitate the
dialogue that is needed to help resolve conflict would materialize. We
assured him that we would do what we could.

#2 Sent 16 October 2003

Dear Rev. John Hubers,

Is it accurate to say that in the course of the discussion that no one from
your delegation asked President Assad why he provides support (allows them
to operate bases, offices, move weapons via Damascus, etc.) to various
Palestinian and other groups that have been responsible for operations that
have targeted and killed civilians?

Best regards,
Aaron

#3 Sent 16 October 2003
Dear Aaron,

The point I wished to make as an accurate reflection of our conversation is
that we did our best to avoid what would be called an overtly political
discussion. This was not our purpose. Our purpose was to discuss ways in
which dialogue between Christians and Muslims could open doors to better
relations between religious communities. The president himself set the stage
by focusing on this topic, noting that the politicization of religions has
harmed relations.

In this context it would be accurate to say that the topic you raise here
did not come up in our conversation.

I should also note that we came as much to listen as to present any kind of
set agenda, which was the case throughout our trip. In addition it is
important to point out that our agenda was set by our Christian friends in
the Middle East before the Israeli attack so you understand that we did not
come to make any kind of official pronouncements, but rather to seek a
better understanding of issues which are important to the church in the
Middle East.

I hope this helps to clarify things for you.

One final note: I visit your website from time to time and understand your
purpose to be making sure the Middle Eastern media reflects and accurate and
balanced perspective. I am hoping that this desire for accuracy also extends
to letting those who visit your website to understand that Arab leaders such
as president Assad are interested even eager to enter into a positive
dialogue with Christians. If accuracy is your aim you need to be sure to
include this in your website, as well.

Sincerely,

John Hubers