(ANS - Rome )– The third instalment of See for Yourself, the 27^th General Chapter as seen by young people, carries an interview with the Provincial of the Middle East, Fr Munir El Rai. The interview is mainly about Syria and the young people of that land torn by civil war. The Provincial speaks about a serious situation in which the international community has a duty to intervene in order to find solutions that will lead to peaceful and constructive dialogue.

The hope expressed by Fr Munir is still alive but it needs to be nurtured by faith and by public opinion which is often confused by incomplete or incorrect information.

Young people, especially, are invited by the head of the Salesians in Syria to persuade the governments of their countries to intervene urgently on behalf of peace,  and not to allow their own interests to prevail over the welfare of a people increasingly abandoned to violence and despair.

The Salesians of Syria continue to work hard accompanying families with the support of their prayer, social action and educational activity, especially in situations of real necessity.

Fr Munir emphasized among other things how interventions in favour of peace can bear fruit when they are supported by charity. The experience of the day of prayer for peace in Syria called for by Pope Francis is certainly one of the few signs of hope which have been heeded and still lead to small steps of good will.

In all this, the young people, Fr Munir El Rai says, continue to respond with hope.  They should be supported with signs of solidarity on the part of all, especially other young people.

The interview was conducted by Julia Angelucci and filmed by Robert Mistre, both students of the Faculty of the Sciences of Communication  of the UPS. It makes compelling viewing.

Published  29/03/2014