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ROME, ITALY.-Several hundred people rallied in Rome on Wednesday, July 4th, to demand an end to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East that has forced thousands to flee the region, taking up a concern voiced recently by Pope Benedict XVI, says an Associated Press (AP) story.“The demonstration was the brainchild of Magdi Allam, Italy's leading Islamic commentator. It was endorsed by several top Vatican officials, including Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches,” said the AP story.“We cannot remain silent before a tragedy that affects millions of people,” Allam told the crowd gathered in a central Rome piazza. “The systematic persecution of Christians in the Middle East is a human rights violation.”The “Save the Christians” rally drew top Italian officials, including former Premier Silvio Berlusconi, as well as Jewish officials, including Abraham Foxman, U.S. director of the Anti-Defamation League.“I stand here tonight as an American Jew and as a survivor of the Holocaust to say to you that 'never again' was a pledge that the Jewish people learned with great pain and sadness,”he said.“But 'never again' is not limited to Jewish pain and suffering.'Never again' is an imperative whether they're Jewish, Muslims or Christians.”“I pledge to you that our voices will be heard whenever Christians are discriminated against,” he said. As in the days of Noah...
