In an opinion article at al-Ahrām, Mārī Ya’qūb writes that churches of different Christian denominations offer social services for the poor and marginalized categories through centers and associations, adding they often include cultural, artistic and educational activities.

The centers, affiliated to the church, avoid organizing entertainment activities, fearing criticism by anti-church movements, but they continue offering their socio-medical services to which people from different segments in the society contribute.

Some of these centers include the association for scientific and cultural development (Jesuit) in al-Fajjālah (Catholic), which provides social, artistic and spiritual services and celebrates the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadān as one of the cultural activities, the Hadarah association in al-Sharābīyah which offers medical awareness services where Muslims and Christians work together. [Mārī Ya’qūb, al-Ahrām, March 24, 2012, p. 21] Read original text in Arabic