Libya, the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah, nation of Northern Africa, comprises the former Italian colonies of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan. Libya, is one of the largest countries in Africa. Tripoli is the capital of Libya.It is situated near the Mediterranean Sea, in the North-Western region of the country. It is the largest city, a principal seaport, and the commercial and manufacturing centre of Libya.

 

Libya is governed under a constitution adopted in 1977 by General People’s Congress (GPC) the national legislature established in 1976. Power is delegated to the head of State, or revolutionary Leader, to the five members of the General Secretariat of the GPC, and the 16 members of the General People’s Committee.

 

People are very simple and welcoming like our Father Francis. The indigenous population of Libya is mostly Berber and Arab in origin. About 15-20% of the population consists of foreigners. Libya has a population of 5 million and of which about 75% live in urban areas, although some Libyans still live in nomadic or semi nomadic groups. 

Islam is the State religion, and about 97% of all Libyans are Sunni Muslim. Arabic is the official language. English and Italian are used for trade.

Primary education in Libya is free and compulsory. About 75% of the population is literate.

 

Libya was traditionally an agricultural country, although farming was restricted primarily to coastal regions. Live-stock husbandry was also important. The discovery of petroleum in the late 1950s effected a profound change in the economy. Now the principal resource of Libya is petroleum, natural gas, gypsum, limestone, marine salt, potash. Date palms, Olive and Orange trees grow in the scattered oases; junipers and mastic trees are found in the higher elevation.

 

The great man-made river project, a massive 25-year irrigation scheme was completed in 1994. Good roads built along the coast, connect Tripoli with Tunis, and through Benghazi and Tobruq, with Alexandria.

 

 

 

We are five sisters from five Nationalities living in two communities. All of us serve in different ministries. Sisters do pastoral work, teach music, help the immigrants especially from Africa, care for the orphan children in the Government Institution, and teach Catechism for the Polish children. The oldest sister (84 years) attends to hospitality in the house.

I work for the handicapped adults mostly women and the aged in a centre belonging to the Government of Libya. It provides all the basic needs of the people. There are 150 inmates both men and women. Each one lives in a self contained room. In Libya there are many Indians working in different companies. Most of them are Doctors and Nurses from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Occasionally I visit them and extend my support when needed. Since I came to Tripoli I am in charge of the pastral care of the Indians who are Christians. The Candle Light Service celebration is held on second Friday of December every year where different nationalities and different Churches take part. Though we are in a Muslim country our Churches are alive with different cultures, colour and languages. We have a school for Indians in Libya; it is run by the Indian Embassy. We also visit and establish cordial relationships with our Libyan neighbours and participate in their joys and sorrows. I am happy in my mission.

 

We live in an international community with various cultures and customs, which I consider as an enriching experience. It calls for greater adjustment to the different mentalities, their strengths and limitations. 

 

By deepening our relationship with Lord in the celebration of the Eucharist and Eucharistic adoration we are strengthened to carry on the mission entrusted to us by obedience. We draw the strength from the Eucharist and therein acquire the inner disposition to have cordial relationship with each other in the community and with others whom we meet everyday. We spread the Good News among the people only through the dialogue of our life.

 

I am greatly edified by the great fidelity of our Muslim brothers and sisters who are very faithful to their prayer and religious practices. During Ramadan the people fast and spend long periods in prayer and give alms to the poor that reminds me of our 40 days of Lenten practice. It helps me to respect their culture and the language.