Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
May 23 2005
Leader of world Armenians: Iran a model for followers of divine
religions
Isfahan, May 23, IRNA
The spiritual Leader of the World Armenians Archbishop Jasliq Aram I
Keshishian said on Monday that the world should follow peaceful
coexistence of the followers of divine religions in Iran.
The spiritual leader of the world Armenians arrived in the ancient
city of Isfahan, central Iran, on Sunday.
The rights of religious minorities in Iran, Armenians in particular,
are respected and that they enjoy an appropriate position in Iran, he
told IRNA on the sidelines of his visit to Hovaneh Church in Isfahan.
The Article 13 of Iran’s Constitution is truly observed in Iran given
that the religious minorities enjoy the freedom to perform their
religious rituals, have representatives in the Majlis (parliament),
are present in academic centers, cultural and art arenas and hold
administrative posts, he noted.
However, he reiterated that the blood money as the most important
problem facing the Armenians was solved upon the approval of Iran’s
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Iran’s judiciary chief underlined that the country has seriously
taken into consideration the respect for the rights of religious
minorities in Iran,” he added.
He also quoted the judiciary chief as declaring that the judiciary is
ready to set up ad hoc councils to resolve the problems of the
religious minorities residing in Iran.
It is also expected that the provincial authorities give more
attention to the preservation of Armenians’ cultural heritage given
the high tourism attractions of Isfahan province, said the spiritual
leader.
It is worth mentioning that the Iranian authorities have always paved
the way for the Armenians’ presence in political, cultural, social,
art and sport areas, he stated.
The spiritual leader of the world Armenians arrived in the ancient
city of Isfahan, central Iran, on Sunday.
During his stay in Isfahan, the leader of world Armenians is to
confer with Armenians residing in this city as well as the Friday
prayer leader and the provincial governor general.
Archbishop Jasliq is scheduled to visit the city of Shahin Shahr in
the northern part of Isfahan province and confer with the Armenians
in this city.
Armenian settlement in Isfahan dates back to the Safavid era. Most of
the Armenians in Isfahan live in the historical region of Jolfa.
The spiritual leader of the World Armenians arrived in Tehran on
Thursday, May 12 for a 14-day visit. He has already visited Iran
three times.
During his stay in Iran, he visited Tehran and Markazi provinces and
is currently touring Isfahan before going on to the provinces of West
Azarbaijan and East Azarbaijan.
He also paid tribute to the founder of the Islamic Revolution the
late Imam Khomeini on Thursday, May 19.
The Armenian citizens in Iran enjoy citizenship rights and they are
present on the scene to elevate their country, Iran, said the
Armenian leader last Sunday, May 15 in Arak, Markazi province.
The total number of Armenians around the world stands at 15 million,
he said, adding that the 300,000 Armenians in Iran freely perform
their religious duties.
The religious center of the World Armenians is located in Lebanon and
the center follows up all various issues of the Armenian population
throughout the world, he added.
Archbishop Jasliq Aram I Keshishian conferred with President Mohammad
Khatami in Tehran on last Saturday, May 14.
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