Vocal harmonies of choirs and solo songs, all in tune with the sound of musical instruments: the result is a beautiful opera. The subject of this musical performance is the meeting that took place in 1219 between St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt Al-Malik Al-Kamil. An inter-religious dialogue made of mutual respect, in which St. Francis asked the Sultan for free access to the Holy Places under his control, which was granted to him. The Opera, produced by the Custody of the Holy Land, was presented in Lebanon, in Beirut, in the Church of St. Elias, and in Tripoli, in the Church of St. Maroun, in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Culture of Beirut, the Association Pro Terra Sancta and Noursat/Telelumiere for the television broadcast. The music was written by Lebanese composer Fr. Khalil Rahme, who conducted the singers, choir and orchestra of Notre Dame University. HE JOSEPH SWEIF Maronite Bishop of Tripoli "In this work we commemorate the blessed encounter of St. Francis of Assisi with Sultan Al-Malik. A cultural and spiritual encounter that we desperately need today, especially in Lebanon, in the Middle East and in general in the world. Because we are all one family, fraternity unites us and through this we are called to build love, forgiveness and peace.” The opera was performed in concert form, that is, without sets and costumes. The event was attended by Christians and Muslims who gave the singers and musicians a standing ovation. In the final speeches, everyone emphasized that the dialogue between St. Francis and the Sultan had today its continuation in the meeting of Pope Francis with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. Br QUIRICO CALELLA, ofm Superior of the Convent of the Holy Land in Tripoli - Organizer of the event "The relationship that has existed for 800 years between Franciscans and Muslims began in the Middle East with the visit of St. Francis to Damietta, Egypt, when Sultan Al-Malik Al-Kamil gave us 'permission' to stay in the Holy Land and the Middle East and we have been here ever since. I thank all those who have helped us and I hope that this message of brotherhood and peace will reach the whole world." Sheikh MAHMUD NOHMAN Delegate of the Mufti of Tripoli "First, I have the honor of being here in this meeting as the representative of His Eminence, the Mufti of Tripoli and the North, Sheikh Muhammad Imam, may God protect him. We are an integral part of this blessed city that has preserved together the Islamic and Christian presence. We always meet on the subject of dialogue between civilizations and religions, and on social and cultural dialogue." The text of the opera in Italian was written by Prof. Bartolomeo Pirone and the libretto (published by Edizioni Terra Santa) was distributed to the public with a translation in Arabic. THERESE FRANCIS Translator "The meeting of St. Francis of Assisi with the Sultan of Egypt takes on a certain importance because we are in Lebanon, in Tripoli, the second capital of the North, where we find both Christians and Muslims." GIADA TIRELLI "Operazione Colomba" of the John XXIII Association "I am happy to be able to participate in this performance of St. Francis and the Sultan. I think it is a very timely provocation today, in our history, in this country and in a world where more and more different cultures, different religions are intertwined. We need to rediscover ourselves as siblings". Songs, instruments and inter-religious meetings. The work carried out in Lebanon continues to spread the example of living dialogue between St. Francis and the Sultan of Egypt. Read More