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Qatar Tribune
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
A Spiritual Journey in Qatar: Archbishop Makarios Bids Farewell After 21 Years of Service
Ashraf Siddiqui After more than two decades of dedicated spiritual leadership in Qatar, Archbishop Makarios of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has stepped down from his post, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in the country's religious and interfaith history. Talking exclusively to Qatar Tribune recently on the eve of his departure from Doha,Archbishop Makarios told that he landed in Qatar in 2003, and has served as the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Qatar for 21 years. During his tenure, he witnessed and contributed to the profound transformation of both Qatar as a nation and its Christian expatriate community. Reflecting on his time, he described Doha's dramatic evolution—from a modest city of around 600,000 inhabitants to a thriving metropolis with world-class infrastructure, dynamic interfaith relations, and a flourishing expatriate community. Refreshing his memories, when the Archbishop first arrived, worship services were held in schools, hotels, and makeshift locations. It wasn't until 2005 that the Father Amir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, then Amir of State of Qatar, allocated a dedicated plot of land in the Msheireb area for officially recognised Christian denominations. This move, Archbishop Makarios emphasised, was a turning point. It enabled the construction of purpose-built churches and formalised the presence of Christianity in Qatar. Over the years, Archbishop Makarios became a leading figure in interfaith dialogue. He played an instrumental role in establishing the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) around 2007–2008, and remained an active participant in its annual conferences and roundtable discussions. These platforms brought together representatives of diverse faiths—Muslims, Christians, and others—to foster mutual understanding and respect in a multicultural society. His church community was equally diverse. Services were conducted in six languages—Greek, Arabic, English, Russian, Romanian, and Serbian—serving congregants from Eastern Europe and the Middle East. He noted that this multiethnic, multilingual environment not only enriched the religious fabric of Qatar, but also broadened his personal and spiritual horizons. Born in Greece and raised in Jerusalem from the age of 12, Archbishop Makarios pursued theological studies in Jerusalem, Serbia, and Jordan. Prior to his assignment in Qatar, he served as a priest in Gaza and various Jordanian cities, where he also learned Arabic. His journey as a spiritual leader was marked by deep immersion in local cultures and languages, enabling him to connect authentically with people across borders. Looking back, Archbishop Makarios described his experience in Qatar as one of the most fruitful periods of his life. As he prepares to take on a new role as Metropolitan of Acre in northern Israel, Archbishop Makarios said he will carry the memories and friendships formed in Qatar with him. Though his official duties will shift, he intends to maintain ties with Qatar, a place he now considers a second home. His departure marks not just the end of an era, but a legacy of faith, diplomacy, and cultural bridge-building that will continue to resonate in Qatar's vibrant religious landscape. Incoming Archbishop Aristovoulos of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate has served in various significant locations throughout the Holy Land, including as a conductor at the Holy Sepulchre. He has ministered in Beyjala near Bethlehem, as well as in Madaba, Jordan. Prior to his current appointment, he was entrusted with the pastoral care of all Russian-speaking communities within the Patriarchate.
Euronews
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Council of Europe alarmed by free speech curbs in Germany
The Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe, Michael O'Flaherty, has expressed serious concerns regarding the conduct of German authorities in response to pro-Gaza demonstrations. In a letter addressed to the German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, O'Flaherty highlighted what he perceives as infringements on freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. 'Since February 2025, Berlin authorities have imposed restrictions on the use of the Arabic language and cultural symbols during protests. In certain instances, such as the demonstration held on 15 May 2025, marches were limited to static gatherings. Additionally, protestors have reportedly been subjected to intrusive surveillance—both online and in person—and arbitrary police checks,' O'Flaherty stated. The Commissioner also raised alarm over reports of disproportionate police violence during these events. 'I am deeply concerned by allegations of excessive force used by police against demonstrators, including minors, which in some cases led to injuries. The use of force by law enforcement must adhere to the principles of non-discrimination, legality, necessity, proportionality, and precaution,' he said. O'Flaherty has urged the German authorities to thoroughly investigate incidents of excessive force and to hold officers accountable where misconduct is found. He noted that police efforts to suppress Nakba Day commemorations—a remembrance of the 1948 displacement of Palestinians—were especially troubling. The Irish human rights advocate further pointed out that freedom of speech appears to be restricted within some German universities and cultural institutions. He cited reports of foreign nationals facing deportation following their involvement in pro-Gaza activities. 'I am concerned by indications that the working definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is being interpreted by some German authorities in a manner that equates any criticism of Israel with antisemitism,' O'Flaherty wrote. Tensions have run high in Germany since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, with frequent clashes at pro-Palestinian rallies. During the Nakba protest in mid-May, demonstrators were heard chanting slogans such as 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'—phrasing considered antisemitic under German law. The event saw several injuries as confrontations escalated. In April, five students were arrested during a protest at Humboldt University for chanting anti-Israeli slogans. German police have also taken action against demonstrators displaying banned symbols, including altered Hamas slogans. Bill Gates will visit Brussels next week to participate in a Gavi vaccine alliance summit together with EU leaders to pledge provision of vaccine purchases for developing countries in an event co-hosted by The Gates Foundation and the European Union. The goal of the event is to collect €9 billion between 2026 and 2030. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, will likely represent the EU at the event. Gavi is a global vaccine alliance bringing together public and private actors that help vaccinate more than half the world's children against some of the deadliest diseases. The Gates Foundation, alongside the European Union, is its biggest sponsor. Gavi intends to immunise at least 500 million children in the next five years. This, according to their press release, would save 8-9 million lives. It is not immediately clear how much the EU will contribute to this plan financially. The EU has provided €3.2 billion in financing to Gavi since 2003. There was enhanced cooperation between the two during the coronavirus pandemic in the COVAX programme. EU institutions together with individual member states have also contributed €2.55 billion to Gavi's programmes, amounting to one third of the budget of the campaign. 'When the Gates Foundation made its first investment in Gavi 25 years ago, I couldn't have predicted the extraordinary impact it would have on combatting infectious diseases, lifting up economies and saving lives,' said Bill Gates in a press release announcing the summit in Brussels. "Together with Gavi, we have the goal to vaccinate 500 million children by 2030. That is why the European Union is proud to co-host Gavi's High-Level Pledging Summit in Brussels. Our support will remain steadfast,' von der Leyen is cited in the release as saying. Besides the Gavi's pledging summit, Bill Gates will also have other agenda items in Brussels, participating on Tuesday in a debate with MEPs on the European Parliament's Development Committee. The discussion will focus on assistance and innovation as drivers for improving health and living standards in the Global South. The press release of the Parliament adds that several international donors, like the United States and several EU countries, are cutting their aid budgets.
Boston Globe
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Brad Lander tried to escort immigrants facing arrest. He's not alone.
Advertisement Before, volunteers might have accompanied immigrants to hearings, but only in recent weeks have they had to consider what happens when they leave 'because ICE wasn't waiting on the other side of the door before,' said Camille J. Mackler, the founder and executive director of Immigrant ARC, a collaborative of immigration legal services providers. 'We really are just there to bear witness in a nonviolent way.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Federal agents wait in a hallway outside New York City's main immigration court in lower Manhattan following the arrest of New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander, June 17, 2025. JEFFERSON SIEGEL/NYT Lander, who is running for mayor, maintained that is what he was trying to do Tuesday when federal officers approached an immigrant named Edgardo to arrest him. Video shows Lander appearing to hold on to Edgardo and refusing to let go as officers were trying to arrest the man over Lander's protestations. Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security saw it differently. The agency accused Lander of assaulting and obstructing federal officers as they were performing their duties, all to boost his mayoral campaign. The altercation thrust the work of the volunteer escorts into the national debate about Trump's immigration crackdown, due process rights and the behavior of federal immigration agents. Why are people accompanying migrants at courthouses? The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency initiated a national operation last month to begin arresting certain immigrants as they leave court hearings. The new tactic works like this: An immigrant appears for a hearing in an immigration court to determine whether they can lawfully remain in the country. Suddenly, the government prosecutor asks the judge to dismiss the case. The dismissal terminates certain legal protections that the immigrant had, allowing ICE agents in the hallway to apprehend the person and place them in an expedited deportation process. As ICE began showing up at immigration courts, so did more and more volunteers — activists, faith leaders, lawyers and everyday New Yorkers looking to get involved. They often provide immigrants, many of whom lack lawyers, with legal guidance, though not necessarily representation. They pass out flyers written in Spanish, French, Arabic and other languages informing them of their rights and explaining the government's new arrest strategy. And they take down their name, country of origin and case number so that relatives can be contacted if they are detained and to look up where they are being held. Then, the volunteers try to walk with some migrants — especially those at risk of being arrested because their cases were just dismissed — out of the hearing rooms and past federal officers. 'They are armed, and a lot of them are masked,' said Allison Cutler, an immigration lawyer at the New York Legal Assistance Group, which provides legal help to low-income people, including immigrants. 'People are terrified as soon as they step foot out of the elevator.' Advertisement What can federal agents do? ICE officers are responsible for detaining noncitizens who are violating federal immigration laws. But federal officers are generally permitted to arrest anyone who attempts to obstruct an arrest, which is a federal crime. 'We can't have anyone interfering with our ICE arrest operations,' Todd Lyons, the ICE acting director, told Fox News after Lander's arrest. 'We've always said that if anyone impedes our arrest operations, no matter who you are, you will be taken into custody,' Lyons said. As of Wednesday, the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan, which had said it was reviewing the incident, had not brought charges against Lander. Asked about volunteers accompanying people in immigration courts, Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for DHS, said, 'Anyone who actively obstructs or assaults law enforcement, including U.S. citizens, will of course face consequences which include arrest.' Have the volunteers prevented arrests? The main goal of accompanying immigrants, volunteers say, is to provide comfort and safety to people who are often afraid of showing up in court, especially during the string of arrests, and to make sure they are not alone if they are detained. It is difficult to gauge whether volunteers are deterring ICE agents from moving in for arrests. Before he was detained, Lander had shown up at the courts twice and escorted out immigrant families who appeared at risk of arrest after their cases were dismissed, walking them by federal agents. 'Does this excessive accompaniment mean that somebody didn't get detained?' Mackler, the leader of Immigrant ARC, said. 'Obviously, we would love for that to be the outcome, but more important, the goal would be to make sure that the person isn't alone.' Advertisement Federal agents have continued to arrest immigrants even when they are surrounded by volunteers, occasionally leading to volatile altercations between the officers and activists. Lander had been appearing at immigration court in conjunction with Immigrant ARC. Mackler said that her organization had trained volunteers not to act in a way that would provoke or escalate a situation with law enforcement officers. 'Our instructions for our volunteers are to not engage or interfere with law enforcement,' she said. 'But I'm also not going to tell a New York City elected official how he shows up to protect New Yorkers.' Who else is showing up at the courts? Representative Jerrold Nadler at an immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza in New York, June 18, 2025. JEFFERSON SIEGEL/NYT Immigration courts — which are operated by a branch of the Department of Justice called the Executive Office for Immigration Review — are open to the public. In recent weeks, they have attracted more immigration lawyers looking to help migrants who do not have attorneys and members of the public who observe and document court proceedings to ensure transparency and accountability. Visitors are generally allowed to sit in during hearings after passing through metal detectors in the lobbies of the three Manhattan courthouses that have immigration courts. Judges can close certain proceedings to the public, especially those involving people who are sharing sensitive personal information during asylum hearings. Democratic politicians have descended on the courthouse at 26 Federal Plaza, which also houses ICE offices where detained immigrants have sometimes been held for days in overcrowded conditions. On Wednesday, Reps. Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman, both Democrats, sought to conduct an oversight visit to the 10th floor but were denied access by the ICE deputy field office director, William Joyce. Advertisement 'Because we were told not to,' Joyce told the members of Congress during an exchange in the lobby. 'We will continue to go up the chain, and we will get answers,' Goldman later said at a news conference. This article originally appeared in .
Deccan Herald
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
CPI(M) leader opposes exclusion of 'Mahl', 'Arabic' languages from Lakshadweep schools
. @cpimspeak Rajya Sabha floor leader @JohnBrittas writes to #ModiGovt protesting against removal of Mahl and Arabic from school syllabus in Lakshadweep. Says if discarded in the name of NEP reform, what we are witnessing is not progress but cultural erasure, he says @DeccanHerald
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
CPI (M) MP Brittas objects to exclusion of Mahal, Arabic in Lakshadweep schools under 3-language formula
New Delhi, Communist Party of India MP John Brittas on Thursday wrote to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan objecting to the exclusion of Mahal and Arabic in Lakshadweep schools under the three-language formula. In his letter, the Rajya Sabha member expressed deep concern over the move to implement the three-language formula under the National Education Policy 2020, which led to exclusion of Mahal and Arabic. He said the two languages are integral to the socio-cultural and educational fabric of the Lakshadweep archipelago as well as against the strategies adopted by the Union government for unilateral nationwide implementation of NEP 2020. "The exclusion of the above-mentioned languages from Lakshadweep schools - each intrinsically tied to the identity, heritage, and future aspirations of the island's people - is not only unjust but also emblematic of the broader flaws inherent in the top-down imposition of the NEP," Brittas said. The Lakshadweep administration had issued an order last month that sought to replace Mahal and Arabic with Hindi under the National Curriculum Framework. Malayalam and English are to be taught as first and second languages in schools, the order also said. However, the Kerala High Court, earlier this month, ordered a stay on the order "till further orders". Brittas said Mahal is not merely a dialect, but a distinct language with its own script and literary heritage, deeply embedded in the lives of the Minicoy community, and Arabic holds profound religious, academic, and occupational significance, particularly in a region where a considerable number of residents are expatriates. "Lakshadweep follows the Kerala state syllabus, which includes Arabic - but also strikes at the heart of a linguistic and cultural ecosystem nurtured over generations. Such selective imposition is indicative of a broader disregard for minority identities," he said. He demanded that the government direct the authorities concerned to reconsider the exclusion of Mahal and Arabic from the curriculum in Lakshadweep, but also to put the nationwide implementation of NEP 2020 on hold until proper consultations are undertaken with all relevant stakeholders, including state governments, students, teachers, local bodies, and elected representatives." "Any curricular or linguistic restructuring must be democratic, inclusive, and rooted in the lived realities of the people," he added.
