Santiago, Chile – December 4, 2024
On Tuesday, Monsignor Fernando Chomali Garib, Archbishop of Chile, received the delegation of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ) at the Archbishop’s residence in Santiago. The delegation is participating in the “Moroccan Kingdom Week” in Chile, which runs until December 8, in the presence of Morocco’s Ambassador to Santiago, Kenza El Ghali.
The Agency’s delegation briefed the Archbishop of Chile, who is of Palestinian origin, on its humanitarian interventions in Jerusalem as the operational arm of the Al-Quds Committee, chaired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco.
During the meeting, Father Johnny Abu Khalil, Director of the Pastoral Center of the Latin Patriarchate in Haifa, praised the Agency’s role in supporting Jerusalemites and preserving the Arab identity of Jerusalem under the esteemed patronage of King Mohammed VI. He emphasized that the Agency’s presence in Jerusalem acts as an “additional safeguard” for its residents, particularly in matters concerning threatened property ownership.
Father Abu Khalil also outlined the challenges faced by Palestinians in Jerusalem, both Muslims and Christians, particularly regarding freedom of worship and access to holy sites. He highlighted the dire living conditions in areas such as Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala due to the decline in Christian pilgrimage activities.
Ambassador Kenza El Ghali, in her remarks, highlighted Morocco’s values of tolerance and coexistence among the Abrahamic religions under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
She noted that, as Dean of the Arab and African Diplomatic Corps in Chile, she works alongside her colleagues to promote these values as principles for dialogue and understanding.
Archbishop Chomali reiterated his opposition to the ongoing conflict in the region, calling it a tragic loss for all parties and mourning the lives lost.
He underscored the importance of efforts toward peace, referencing the Vatican’s position in favor of a two-state solution with full sovereignty for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, ensuring the city remains open to all religions with freedom of worship. He expressed his readiness to support all goodwill efforts, including those of the Agency, to advance the Palestinian cause and peace.
The meeting was attended by members of the Palestinian delegation visiting Chile at the invitation of the BMAQ Agency. The delegation included Father Johnny Abu Khalil, Director of the Pastoral Center of the Latin Patriarchate, Reverend Imad Haddad, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Amman, Amjad Shehab, a member of the Islamic Higher Council in Jerusalem, and Farah Al-Ghussein, a representative of the Agency.
