Middle East not all about war, educator says

LIMA — Picture a Christian school in the Middle East with a student body comprised mainly of non-Christians. In Lebanon, it is more than a picture. It is reality for more than 1,300 pupils.

On Monday, members of the Lima Rotary Club received a firsthand account of the efforts to challenge preconceived notions about tolerance and peace in the volatile region. Nabil Costa, of the Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development, spoke about his country and the group’s efforts to promote peace through education.

“Not every Arab, not every Muslim is a terrorist,” Costa said during a program at the City Club. “They want to live in peace. Through education, we can reach thousands and thousands of people.”

Costa said the goal of the organization and the Beirut Baptist School it operates is to promote an understanding of between Christians and non-Christians. With more than 60 percent of the Arab population under 25 years old, the potential looms large, he said. More than 1,300 of the students at the school come from non-Christian families, Costa said.

“I wanted as much as I can to tell the people that the Middle East is a source of peace as well, not only what we hear in the news,” Costa said. “The news wouldn’t tell you the plane landed safely. You will only hear the negative news. What you hear about the Middle East is about wars and misunderstanding and arguing and killing. Schools in Lebanon and the Middle East are promoting peace because schools are platforms for people from all religions to live together and be together.”