Recordó que a pesar de la guerra la industria de la construcción
en Líbano tuvo mucha actividad durante ese tiempo. “Lo que se
construyó durante la guerra supera a muchas construcciones
que se hicieron antes y después de ella, ya que había mucha
fe en ese pedazo de tierra que es Líbano, esa patria grandiosa
que es pequeña en su territorio, pero grande por la fortaleza y
mentalidad de su gente.”
Y agregó que libaneses los hay por todo el mundo, pero aclaró
que la comunidad libanesa, a diferencia de otras naciones, se in-
tegra al país donde vive, no son separatistas ni racistas, “enseña-
mos a nuestros hijos a que si viven en México son mexicanos, si
radican en Venezuela, son venezolanos y que también deben de
tener un gran amor hacia la patria madre. Somos una comunidad
que se integra totalmente a la sociedad en la que habita”.
L
a
S
uiza de
M
edio
O
riente
Hasta la década de 1970 Líbano era el centro financiero del
mundo árabe, lo que le valió el sobrenombre de la “Suiza de
Medio Oriente”; sin embargo, esta opulencia monetaria fue
rota por la guerra civil y los conflictos con Israel. A pesar de
las vicisitudes, Líbano se reconstruye y muestra de ello es un
hotel en Beirut, en el cual el arzobispo Chedraui asegura que
la noche va a costar ocho mil dólares, ya que mucha gente de
los países árabes acude a pasar el verano en Líbano, porque
esta nación tiene la comodidad y amabilidad que otros países
no poseen; “estamos habituados al turismo y también la comida
libanesa es muy buena, además de la atención en las tiendas y
los restaurantes, en donde si uno acude a comprar algo, aunque
no lo compre, en los establecimientos reciben de inmediato a la
gente con una limonada, un café, es una atención increíble, que
en otros lugares como Estados Unidos no se ve, ahí uno va a una
tienda a gastar el dinero y no lo reciben tan bien como debe de
ser, pero en Líbano el valor humano sí existe, a diferencia de otras
naciones donde es más importante el ‘valor animalicio’” (sic).
T
he
L
ebanese
S
trength
After holding various positions in the Antiochian Orthodox Church, both in
Tripoli, Damascus and Mount Lebanon, Antonio Chedraui Tannous, was
assigned to Mexico and since his arrival, as he himself says: "I've been fight-
ing for the Mexican society and trying to strengthen ties between Mexico and
Lebanon”. He is convinced that in the the last 44 years, he has established very
good relationships with most of Lebanon’s ambassadors to México. "They have
helped us both in Lebanon and other Arab countries to fulfill our mission."
When asked how the Lebanese helped to rebuild Lebanon after the civil war
and conflict with Israel, the Archbishop replied: "Every Lebanese is aware he
has to rebuild their country." As an example, he cited that despite the bombings
during the civil war, his brother helped in the reconstruction of a building, even
if at the time the Archbishop had the possibility to get his brother and his family
out of Lebanon, they refused to leave their country.
He recalled that regardless of the war, the construction industry in Lebanon
was very busy during that time. "What was built during the war was much
more than what was constructed before and after, as there was great faith in
that piece of land that is Lebanon, the great country that is small in its terri-
tory, but has an enormous strength and mentality among its people”.
He added that there are Lebanese all around the world, but said that unlike
other nations, the Lebanese community integrates to the country where it lives.
There are no separatists or racists, "we teach our children that if they live in
México, they are Mexican, if they live in Venezuela they are Venezuelan and
must also have a great love for the mother country. We are a community that is
fully integrated to the society in which we live”.
T
he
S
witzerland of
the
M
iddle
E
ast
Until the 1970’s, Lebanon was the financial center of the Arab world, known then
with the nickname "the Switzerland of the Middle East. However, that monetary
wealth was torn by the civil war and conflict with Israel. Despite all the atrocities,
Lebanon is being reconstructed, and he exemplified the construction of a high class
Boutique Hotel in Beirut, which the Archbishop assures, will charge eight thou-
sand dollars per night, as many people from the Arab countries go to Lebanon to
spend the summer where they can find the comfort and kindness of its people.
