This Easter, we look into the establishment of the 26-metre monument in the Christian town of Al Qaa, where a message of peace and hope arises amidst turbulent times
By Rawaa Talass
At a time when Lebanon and the wider Arab region is plunged in deep conflict that has cost hundreds of lives, a symbolic monument has arisen to bring a sense of comfort, protection and hope to people’s hearts. In March 2026, a massive statue of Christ the Redeemer was erected on Jabal Al-Salib (“Mount of the Cross” in Arabic) in the Lebanese town of Al Qaa, overlooking the Bekaa plain. Close to the Syrian border in the north, Al Qaa’s population is predominantly Christian and has in recent history been subjected to extremist violence, caused by ISIS militants, a decade ago. Amongst Arab nations, Lebanon is home to one of the biggest Christian communities, where around 30% of the population follows Christianity.
Designed by Lebanese architect George Makhlouf, the white-coloured statue is made of fiberglass, and more than three tonnes of steel were used to protect it from windy conditions. The statue is 16 metres tall, standing on a 10-metre base, making the whole 26-metre structure one of the largest monuments of Christ in the Middle East. The project was in the making for over a year and was the brainchild of Fady Awad, who comes from Al Qaa and saw the monument come to life with the support of the Al Qaa municipality and fellow locals. Some residents also hope that it will encourage religious tourism for pilgrims around the world. The Levant region contains significant Christian monuments, including the “I Have Come to Save the World” statue of Christ in Saidnaya, Syria.
According to Syriac Press, the monument, where Christ is slightly raising his hands, will soon open a church and the location of which the monument stands upon holds meaning. “The statue stands at a location that was once considered a direct frontline with the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organisation, overlooking the Beqaa Valley and parts of Syrian territory. Organisers explained that the choice of the Mount of the Cross was deliberate, due to the historical and spiritual significance the site holds for the people of Al Qaa,” reads the article.
On social media, most of people’s feedback was positive. One user wrote: “Long live Islam and Christianity. Much love and respect [for] our Christian brothers.” Another user commented: “What an incredible feat of engineering and faith! This statue is truly a beacon of hope for the people of Lebanon and a reminder of God’s love and protection. May it stand tall for generations to come.” In an interview with the television station MTV Lebanon, Georges Mattar, who organises festivals in Al Qaa, spoke of the new statue’s unifying power across different religious sects, saying: “This is a message for everyone, for our neighbouring Shia and Sunni brothers. Our message is love. We are all for coexistence. Christ is for everyone,” he said. “Everyone will visit this statue, not just the people of Al Qaa.”
•The first appeared in Vogue, April 4 under the caption ‘In a Time of Conflict, Lebanon Installs One of the Largest Statues of Christ in the Region.’
