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: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE GRAND MUFTI OF THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
VISITS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
Continuing his pontifical visit to Syria, His Holiness Aram I received the
Grand Mufti of the Syrian Arab Republic, Sheikh Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassoun,
in the Armenian Prelacy of Aleppo on May 19. A delegation of sheikhs and lay
members of the Islamic Council accompanied the Mufti. The delegation also
included the Ambassador of Indonesia to Damascus.
The two sides discussed issues related to Lebanon, Iraq and the Middle
East in general during that lasted about an hour. The positive role of the
Syrian-Armenian community in the country was stressed and the important role
of the Armenian communities in the Middle East as exemplars of religious
co-existence was highlighted. The importance of the Armenian Genocide, its
recognition by the West and compensation for the Armenian nation’s violated
rights were also discussed.
On the Armenian side, participants in the meeting also included Primate
Bishop Shahan Sarkissian, Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, V. Rev. Fr. Vahan
Berberian, members of the Political Assembly, Member of Parliament Sempoul
Sempoulian and the chairman of the committee on the Pontifical visit, Daron
Avedissian.
Mufti Hassoun was also His Holiness’ lunch guest in the Prelacy.
On the same morning, the Catholicos received the primates of all the
Christian communities of Aleppo. Greeting their joint visit, His Holiness
emphasized the importance of cooperation between Christian churches. He
talked about the Armenian community and its characteristics, highlighting
the possibilities for cooperation provided by the Syrian fatherland to all
its communities.
The Primates welcomed the Armenian Spiritual Leader’s visit, considering
him not only the Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, but also a prominent
international and religious figure. The Primates expressed deep desire for
theological dialogue and cooperation between churches and confidence that
through such cooperation the mission of churches will be further developed.
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