PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer

Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

“Christian-Moslem Co-Existence Constitutes

a Vital Dimension Of The History Of The Middle East”

Declared His Holiness Aram I

ANTELIAS, LEBANON – “One cannot understand fully and accurately the history
of the Middle East, with its upheavals and tensions, challenges and
achievements, without the Christian-Moslem co-existence which remains a
vital dimension of the history of this region. In fact, Christianity and
Islam have made a significant contribution to the history of the Middle
East, particularly in the areas of culture, science, civilization and
politics. The centuries old Christian Moslem co-existence has developed
mutual understanding and trust among the peoples of the region. That is why
I often remind our Western friends that Christian-Moslem dialogue in the
Middle East is not an intellectual notion, but an existential reality and an
integral part of the daily life of the people. And, in view of the growing
concern for Christian-Moslem dialogue, I often remind our friends in the
West that Christian-Moslem dialogue in our part of the world is deeply
rooted in our common history. For centuries not only Christians and Moslems
have talked to each other, but they have lived together, worked together,
dreamed and struggled together and have sustained their life by common moral
and human values”, said His Holiness Aram I.

Referring to the latest bombings of the Armenian and Chaldean Churches in
Iraq, His Holiness Aram I said: “I cannot understand and accept these
bombings of churches in Iraq. How such a thing happens between followers of
two religions who have lived together for centuries as one community and as
good neighbors. I cannot understand such an attitude towards Christians who
have been inseparable part of the Middle Eastern society and have played a
major role in all aspects of the society life. I consider these bombings
serious attempts aimed at endangering the Christian-Moslem co-existence,
undermining the importance of common values and aspirations which have
sustained the life of the Middle Eastern societies, and questioning the
importance of human rights and religious liberties. Such attempts also
underestimate the unity of the Arab world and the credibility of the Arab
cause. Therefore, I urge and appeal to the leaderships of Christian and
Moslem communities in Iraq to come together and to re-affirm the
Christian-Moslem co-existence as well as their national unity” concluded his
remarks His Holiness Aram I.

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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.