“Proximity is more than closeness and solidarity, because it is a personal search for hope”
is a quote I heard recently and that immediately brought to mind what is happening throughout the Middle East, especially in Syria these days. Those who have been following the numerous activities supported by AMU and the Emergency Coordination of the Focolare Movement in Syria for over 12 years, certainly know our counterpart: the Seeds of Hope office. With them we had already launched the RestarT project a few years ago, which already in its name (restarting with small business actions, to stay in the country and contribute to its economic and social recovery) recalls Hope. But is there hope for Syria? I have just finished a deep listening session with a dear Syrian friend, gripped by an anguish that cannot be described, where hope is dead. Other personalities with whom we have met in recent weeks have also expressed the same concept: for Syria, hope is dead!
What can we do, here in Italy, in Europe?
I would like to be able to offer, first and foremost, my and our closeness , to continue to walk the path of shared research for Hope, as the opening quote teaches us. I would like to be able to offer our humble and feeble voice to call to their conscience those who in our institutions , at the helm of which they should represent us and care for the Common Good (and therefore also peace and brotherhood between peoples and nations), decide on the political and economic relations of our States and the entire European Union , inviting them to look at the ordinary people who have paid a very high price as a result of the war and sanctions, and who now live in terror of anarchy and uncontrolled violence. I would like to be able to offer my voice to the many people who can testify to their stories of heroism and solidarity lived by going against the current among the material and moral rubble that 12 years of war have sown throughout the country. I would like to be able to gather the tears of those who have lost loved ones , of the innocents who have suffered abuse and deprivation of freedom and dignity, of the orphans and young people who have been denied the right to a future in which to put their talents and dreams to the test for the good of their families, communities, and their nation. I would like to be able to offer adequate material aid to those who live in conditions of deprivation to face a new winter , medical care for the sick who already had to face very difficult situations for their care and who now see it totally compromised, water and food and essential services (electricity, internet connection) to the millions of citizens who are deprived of them. Together we can offer Hope to our Syrian friends, we can hope for and with them: let us all get back into the game and carry in our consciences the heartbreaking commitment to realize here and today the dream of a United World.
Grottaferrata, 06/12/2024 Stefano Comazzi
