Pope visits the Umayyad Mosque
Syria-Vatican, Politics, 5/7/2001

His holiness John Paul II and members of the accompanying delegation on Sunday visited the Grand Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. He was accompanied by senior Christian clergy from Syria and other Arab countries.

At the entrance of the mosque, the Pope was welcomed by the Syrian minister of al-Awqaf ( Islamic Trust) Muhammad Zeyadah, the Republic Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Kiftaro and foreign ambassadors accredited in Damascus.

Following a short rest during which the Pope and Kiftaro exchanged presents, the pontiff toured the Mosque and was briefed on its historic, religious and civilization importance throughout ages.

The Pope stopped at the tomb of John the Baptist and performed a silent prayer.

Later the Syrian Awqaf minister made a speech welcoming Syria's most honored guest in the land of history and great civilization, stressing that the divine heavenly religions derive sublime teachings from one source that is God, and expressing the hope that all are urged to work for maintaining the noble principles of right, justice and equality for strengthening spiritual values and spreading the banners of peace and security world-wide.

His holiness the Pope also visited the Patriarchy of Antoich and All the East for the Syriac Orthodox. He was welcomed by Patriarch Mar Agnatius Zaka I Iwaz of Antioch and the All East for the Syriac Orthodox church and other clergy.

Patriarch Iwaz welcomed the Pontiff, stressing the historical importance of his visit to Syria in his cathedral. The Pope for his part expressed happiness for coming to Syria as a pilgrim following the steps of Apostle Paul.

Previous Stories:
  Pope arrives in Damascus   (5/5/2001)
  Pope John Paul II in Damascus today   (5/5/2001)
  The Pope to hold a mass at the Damascus Abbasids' Stadium   (5/4/2001)

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