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
Armenian version: nian.htm
THE ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIM CLERICS OF LEBANON
VISITS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
A senior delegation of five Muslim clerics representing the Association of
Muslim Clerics of Lebanon visited His Holiness Aram I on August 20. The
representative of the Armenian community in the Christian-Muslim Dialogue
Committee, Dr. Jean Salmanian, also attended the meeting.
The delegation expressed its support to the Armenian Pontiff, particularly
in light of his recently expressed national positions and the importance he
pays to the Christian-Muslim dialogue. The two sides also engaged in a
general analytical discussion of the political situation in Lebanon.
The Catholicos stressed the importance of holding presidential elections
within the timeframe specified by the Constitution, adding that the new
President should be someone who can extend bridges between the two sides and
generate mutual respect and trust.
He said: "We respect all our friends who support Lebanon be they Arab
Christians, Muslims or from the Western world. However, the interests of
Lebanon remain a priority for us. We do not have the right to sacrifice
Lebanon’s principal interests for the sake of our friendship or other forms
of attachments. Lebanon is home for all of us and as the children of those
in charge of it, we have the obligation to strengthen our common home, its
internal unity, sovereignty and independence."
On the same morning, the Catholicos also received a ten-member delegation on
behalf of the leadership of the "National Movement" party. The two sides
discussed issues related to Lebanon and the region at large.
Underlying the important role of the Armenian community, His Holiness said:
"The Armenian community is neither in the position of spectators, nor that
of followers. It is an active participant. The Armenian community has always
had a balanced approach in Lebanon, not unifying itself with one side or the
other. It has always supported Lebanon and defended its supreme interests."
The Catholicos also said that Patriarch Sfeir’s and his viewpoints are
similar on the main challenges facing Lebanon today. He pointed out that
Christian and Muslim religious leaders should always consult one another in
order to contribute to the Lebanon’s revival.
The spiritual leader of the Shiite community in Lebanon, Sheikh Abd el Amir
Kabalan, inaugurated a communal center in the Meysel Jabal in Southern
Lebanon on Sunday. Dr. Jean Salmanian attended the event on behalf of His
Holiness and convened the Pontiff’s greetings to the Shiite community. Upon
his return, Dr. Salmanian passed on the warm greeting of Sheikh Kabalan and
the Shiite community to Catholicos Aram I and the Armenian community.
##
View photo here:
tos/Photos29.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities 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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress