Syrian Minister of Endowment and Muslim Scholars Offer Christmas Wishes

Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate – 28/12/16

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II received His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Abdelsattar Al-Sayed, Syrian Minister of Endowments, accompanied by a group of Muslim Scholars, who came to offer congratulatory wishes on the occasion of Christmas at the Patriarchate in Bab Touma, Damascus.
His Eminence Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Patriarchal Vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus, His Grace Mor Georges Kourieh, Dean of Mor Aphrem Theological Seminary in Maarat Saydnaya, His Grace Armash Nalbandian, Armenian Orthodox Bishop of Damascus, and His Grace Mgr. Joseph Absi, Greek Catholic Patriarchal Vicar, were also present.

His Holiness welcomed his guests and spoke about the importance to celebrate together as Syrians, Christians and Muslims, the birth of Christ, King of peace. He also spoke about the long history of good relations between Christians and Muslims in Syria. He said that the extremist thought that is leading the youth to self-destruction, can only be fought through having common lectures of religion and religious ethics to all the citizens alike.

In turn, the Minister of Endowments spoke about the reverence of Islam to the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the special respect Muslims have for the Virgin Mary. He agreed that the key to having a well-mannered and religiously educated youth is to unite the efforts and work together on the bringing up of the next generations and teaching them values like love, peace, respect, etc…

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