The EMS study programme “Studies in the Middle East” (SiMO) was launched 25 years ago. Since then, the programme has sent over 80 students to the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut for an ecumenical academic year.

“SiMO” is celebrating its 25th anniversary in the midst of very challenging times. The 2020/21 and 2021/22 academic years were unable to take place due to the pandemic, and the 2022/23 academic year also had to be cancelled after only one academic year due to the Gaza war spilling over into Lebanon. As the situation had not yet stabilised, no students were selected for the years 2024/25 and 2025/26.

So the SiMO anniversary is by no means an occasion for a lavish party. Nevertheless, it was still reason enough for a small, very formal festive event that took place in the beautiful rooms of the main church offices of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany in Erfurt during an international consultation. For this occasion, participants of the Near East School of Theology (NEST) hailing from Germany, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine made their way from Beirut to Erfurt by way of Frankfurt, Bochum and Kassel.

During the festivities, the participants also signed a joint declaration stating that they all pledged not to support a “Culture of death” but instead to promote a “Culture of life” in the spirit of the Middle East ecumenical document entitled “We Choose Abundant Life” (Beirut 2021). They also intend to look for funds and ways to continue the study programme in future (possibly on a smaller scale), even if conditions were to become more difficult.

Perhaps the first steps can be taken soon. After all, it is not completely ruled out that one or two students could be sent to Beirut again, at least for the second semester of the 2025/26 academic year, i.e. at the beginning of 2026. The signs from Lebanon are cautiously optimistic.