Munib Younan is the Bishop of Jordan and the Holy Land for the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCJHL). Within the Arab Christian community, he is noted for his strong faith and leadership. He was born in Jerusalem only two years after the state of Israel was established. The Palestinian people were in a state of upheaval at the time. Despite the fact that both of his parents were refugees, Younan did not become resentful as a result of his uprooting. While many of his peers tragically joined militant rebel groups, he chose spirituality as a path to peace and compassion. Despite being an Arab Christian, he had a positive relationship with Muslims during his childhood. This is a testimonial to his charisma and ability to accept people regardless of their political beliefs. This upbringing had a significant impact on his career decisions. Mentoring young Arab Christians to choose a life of nonviolence and compassion was one of his main goals. He undoubtedly saved the lives of countless young individuals who would otherwise have died while participating in a rebel army. He spent the last years of his career in many key positions, including the presidency of the Lutheran World Federation, which administers more than 70 million Christians.
Childhood and Adolescence of Munib Younan
Munib Younan was born in Jerusalem on September 18, 1950. Both of his parents were Palestinian refugees who were forced to flee their homes when Israel was established in 1948.
Younan, although being a protestant, had excellent ties with Muslims. He played and studied in peace with Muslims, linked by their shared refugee experience.
In Palestine, he finished his education at a Lutheran school. After graduation, he wanted to be a pastor.
When he was awarded a scholarship to study at Luther Opisto College in Finland, his dream came true. From 1969 until 1972, he was a student here.
He graduated from the University of Helsinki with a master’s degree in theology in 1972. In 1976, he completed the program.
A Career of Munib Younan
He was ordained at Jerusalem’s Church of the Redeemer in 1976. This was the start of a lengthy career in Jordan and the Holy Land for the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
He became a member of the Lutheran World Federation in 1981. He began his career as a member of the Youth Committee, a post he held until 1984.
In 1982, he established the Al-Liqa’ Center for Religious Studies in Jerusalem. The center’s focus was on interfaith collaboration and harmony.
In 1985, he joined the Middle East Council of Churches as an active member. He has held numerous positions within the group and is now the president of the Evangelical Family.
In 1990, he was elected president of the Jordanian and Holy Land Evangelical Lutheran Church. He served in this capacity until 1998.
He also served as an adviser to the Lutheran World Federation’s Council from 1990 to 1997.
From 1997 through 2003, Younan was quite active. He was a member of the Lutheran World Federation’s Program Committee for Mission and Development and vice-chair of the Institute for Ecumenical Research’s Board of Trustees.
In 2003, he was elected vice president of the Lutheran World Federation’s Asian area. He also served on the board of trustees and executive council of the federation. He served in this capacity until 2010.
He was also elected president of the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches in 2004. In 2010, he achieved ordination for women, which was his most major achievement.
Younan was elected president of the Lutheran World Federation on July 24, 2010. As president, he is the chair of the board of trustees and the executive council.
Major Projects of Munib Younan
His most notable achievement is his vital involvement in the Fellowship of the Middle East Evangelical Churches obtaining women’s ordination. Women were now able to hold the same positions of influence as men inside the church hierarchy as a result of this vote.
He released a book called “Witnessing for Peace: In Jerusalem and Around the World” in 2003. Through the prism of Arab Christianity, it offers a unique viewpoint on the situation in Israel and Palestine. It shed international light on a Christian sect that was previously unknown in the Western world.
Another of Younan’s notable accomplishments was the building of the Al-Liqa Center for Religious Studies in Jerusalem. The center continues to assist the region’s diverse spiritual community in living in peace with one another.
Achievements & Awards
The Finnish Christian Peace Movement awarded him the Finnish Peace Prize in 2001.
He received the United Nations Association’s Human Rights Award in 2001.
In 2004, he received the Bethanien prize as well as the Holyland Christian Ecumenical Foundation prize.
He was honored with the Templar Peace Prize in 2007. He was awarded the Mikael Agricola Medallion in Finland the following year.
Personal History and Legacy
In 1980, he married Suad Yacoub. The couple has three children: a son, two daughters, and a granddaughter.
In 1998, Younan went to the United States to study theology. Wartburg College in Iowa also bestowed upon him an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity.
Estimated Net Worth
Munib Younan is one of the wealthiest religious leaders and one of the most well-known. Munib Younan’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million, according to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.