Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai is scheduled to visit the Chouf region, the Druze heartland of Mount Lebanon, on Friday, September 8, to reinforce Maronite-Druze reconciliation.
His first stop, as reported by the Markazia agency, will be a visit to the residence of the Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Sami Abil-Muna in Chanay at 9 AM.
Rai will then head to Beit ed-Dine bishopric, accompanied by Sheikh Abil-Muna, to meet with several municipal leaders, mayors, clergy and residents.
At 11:45 AM, Rai will head to the National Library in Baakline to deliver a lecture upon an invitation from the Choueifat Ecumenical Gathering titled “The Fruits of Reconciliation… and the Prospects of the Future,” in which Sheikh Abil-Muna will also participate.
The lecture will be followed by a luncheon in his honor at Mukhtara palace, the residence of Druze leader Walid Joumblatt.
Patriarch Rai will then preside over a celebratory Mass at the bishopric in Beit Ed-Dine at 6 PM. He will conclude his visit with a dinner hosted by former Lebanese MP Nehme Tohme at 9:00 PM at the Mir Amin Palace.
