Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Aleppo, SANA- The Christian denominations in Aleppo on Wednesday held a joint prayer at Mar Georges Church for Syriac Orthodox on the 2nd anniversary of kidnapping bishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boutros Yazigi.
Accredited Patriarch of Aleppo Archdiocese for Syriac Orthodox Boutros Qisis delivered a speech through which he affirmed that the prayer was held for Syria with all of its spectrums and for its army and the kidnapped citizens.
Qisis said that the wide participation in the prayer is a reflection of the national unity which embraces all the Syrians who are sharing the pain and hope and who are praying for the return of peace and security to the homeland.
For his part, Aleppo Governor Mohammad Marwan al-Olabi affirmed that all locals of Aleppo province hope all kidnapped be released, on top, the two bishops who had been seeking to spread the values of amity, tolerance and brotherhood and who had been trying to find ways to release the kidnapped people.
Olabi stressed that the Syrians have always been living as a one family and this is what will bind them till achieving the victory of the homeland.
In turn, Aleppo Mufti Mahmoud Akam said that all the Syrian people are equal in rights and duties, affirming that the Christians in Syria are citizens like the other Syrian citizens.
Akam prayed to God to protect the Syrian people and army and the bishops and all the kidnapped people be realeased.
Head of Aleppo Islamic Endowments “Awqaf” Department Abdul-Qader al-Shihabi said that terrorists target mosques and churches and don’t differentiate between Muslims and Christians which affirms that what is being targeted is the homeland.
After the prayer, two joint statements were delivered. The statements included prayers for all the Syrians and for releasing the kidnapped bishops, calling upon the international organizations and the major states to exert more efforts for releasing the bishops.
A photo exhibition was opened. The exhibition displayed stages of the kidnapped bishops’ life and their humanitarian, religious and social role.
R. al-Jazaeri / Barry
