São Paulo – The Christ the Redeemer statue, one of Rio de Janeiro’s main landmarks, was lit up with the colors of the flag of Palestine on Thursday (28) evening. According to the Palestinian ambassador in Brasília, Ibrahim Alzeben, the event was an initiative of the diplomatic representation, the Arab Palestinian Federation of Brazil (FEPAL) and the Confederation of Palestinian Communities in Latin America and the Caribbean (COPLAC), with the authorization of Rio’s Archdiocese, manager of the monument.
“The event is part of Palestine’s struggle in search for peace, it shows this aspect of Palestine and the connection it has with Jesus Christ and his message of peace and love,” Alzeben told ANBA. According to the Christian tradition, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the city located in the current Palestinian territory of West Bank.
“It shows the search for justice by the Palestinian people, for peace for a region that is suffering,” said the diplomat, mentioning the 135 Palestinians killed by the Israeli armed forces in the last two months, during protests on the border of the Gaza Strip and Israel.
According to the diplomat, the idea is to raise awareness for the issue. Thus, illuminating the 38-meters statue built at the peak of the Corcovado hill, which stands 710 meters tall.
He added that a political and religious event was held, during which a message by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, was read.
In addition to the ambassador, also attended the event the consuls of Lebanon, Algeria and Egypt, the CEO of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Michel Alaby, religious authorities and members of the Arab and Palestinian communities in Brazil. Alaby is the fourth, from left to right, in the picture above, and Alzeben, fifth.
Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
