Damascus, SANA
Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox Church, accompanied by a church delegation, visited the Grand Mufti of the Syrian Arab Republic, Sheikh Osama Rifai, at the Ministry of Religious Endowments, in the presence of Minister Mohammad Abu Khair Shukri.
During the meeting, Patriarch John X congratulated the Mufti on assuming his new position, stressing the strong historical ties between the Patriarchate and the Office of the Mufti, and affirming the importance of cooperation in promoting values of citizenship and coexistence.
For his part, Mufti Rifai welcomed the Patriarch and the accompanying delegation, noting that Muslims and Christians in Syria form one family in one homeland, and that this unity is the foundation of stability and national cohesion.
The two sides discussed the importance of boosting a moderate and open religious discourse, rejecting extremism and fanaticism, and focusing on spreading these values throughout society.
They also reviewed historical and contemporary examples that embody the close relationship between Muslims and Christians in Syria, a bond that remains deeply rooted in the consciousness of the people.
MHD Ibrahim
