Islamic, Christian Theology in focus as Dr Mar Yulios holds talks with Grand Mufti, Awqaf and Religious Minister

Indian Orthodox Church
Liju Cherian
Sultanate of Oman
4/4/2012

MUSCAT, Sultanate of Oman – Ahmedabad Diocese Metropolitan HG Pulikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios, has held detailed talks with His Eminence Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamed al Khalili, Grand Mufti, and HE Shaikh Abdullah bin Mohammed al Salmy, Sultanate of Oman’s Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, on March 31, Saturday.

In separate meetings with the Grand Mufti and the Awqaf and Religious Minister, cordial relations were exchanged in their office.

During his meeting with the Grand Mufti, talks centred around Islamic Theology, Christian Theology, incarnation and Trinity. Dr Mar Yulios who was able to build a close rapport with the Grand Mufti who he said was a deeply scholastic person.

Recollects Dr Mar Yulios: “The Grand Mufti knows many of the theological controversies that occurred in Christianity during the first four centuries and clarified many of those things. Trinity was one of his interesting topics on which he has issues with the monotheistic belief of Islam. I think he was impressed with my answers and invited me more often to his office for dialogue in future.”

Dr Mar Yulios extended an invitation to the Grand Mufti to visit India and especially Kerala which he was not visited.
Others who were part of the delegation include Rev Fr Joji George, new Vicar, Mar Gregorios Orthodox Maha Edavaka (MGOME), Rev Fr Binu John Thomas, Associate Vicar, MGOME, Abraham Mathew, Honourble Trustee, MGOME, Mathew Ninan, Ahmedabad Diocesan Council and Trust Member, and Muneer, Office Secretary, Awqaf and Religious Ministry.

During his meeting with HE Shaikh Abdullah bin Mohammed al Salmy, Dr Mar Yulios explained to the minister about the deep rooted Oman-India bilateral relations which exist for over 350 years. The Minister expressed his interest about the differences among Christianity itself. Dr Mar Yulios thanked him for the permission and freedom for performing religious worship in Oman. The Metropolitan renewed the invitation of the church to His Excellency to visit India and the Malankara Orthodox Church at the earliest.

Those who accompanied Dr Mar Yulios during his visit include Rev Fr Joji George, Vicar, MGOME, Rev Fr Binu John Thomas, Associate Vicar, MGOME, Abraham Mathew, Hon’ble Trustee, MGOME, and Mathew Ninan, Ahmedabad Diocesan Council and Trust Member.

Source:
OCP News Service