Al-Rahi Washes Feet of Roumieh Inmates, Urges Quick Trials   

(Translation of this article appears in Arabic section)

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi washed the feet of 12 prisoners on Holy Thursday, calling for the quick trial of inmates who have been held without receiving sentences.

During his sermon at Roumieh prison, al-Rahi considered every person “innocent until proven guilty.”

The patriarch also called on the state to assume full responsibilities towards the prisoners.

Earlier, al-Rahi washed and kissed the feet of a dozen prisoners in Roumieh, Lebanon's largest prison, which has roughly 4,000 inmates.

The ceremony was held in the courtyard of the 200,000 square meter prison's block D.

The feet washing ritual commemorates Jesus' gesture of humility towards his apostles the night before he was crucified.

Top security and military officials attended the rite.