Damascus forum on Muslims, Christians in face of challenges
Regional-Syria, Religion, 12/14/2004

The National Arab Forum "Moslems and Christians in Face of Challenges" opened Monday in Damascus with the participation of senior clergymen from Lebanon, Iraq along with diplomats and intellectuals.

The Forum is organized by the Damascus-based Sheikh Ahmad Kaftarou Foundation under the slogan "It's Faith to Love Your Nation." Minister of Islamic Endowments ( Trusts ) Ziaduddine al-Ayyoubi pointed out in a speech opening the Forum to the monotheist faiths and their call for man to believe in the Almighty God and spread amity and justice among all peoples.

The minister said Syria was the cradle of civilizations and religions, and had always embodied fraternity and national unity among all members of the society.

He added that this Forum is bound by the unity of faith and belief as it enhances the spirit of fraternity and coexistence among Moslems and Christians.

The minister warned against those who claim to be advocating freedom and liberty ideas while in fact seek to undermine the very principles of heavenly faiths.

Other speeches were delivered by His Beatitude Ignace IV Hazim of Antioch and All the East for the Greek Orthodox, His Beatitude Geregorios III Laham of Antioch and all the East of the Greek-Melkites, His Highness Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of Antioch, All East and Head of the Syriac Church in the World, Mufti of Aleppo city Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Hassoun, the Director General of Sheikh Ahmad Kaftarou Foundation, Head of the Constitutional Conference in Iraq Sheikh Jawad al-Khalissi and Head of the Arab team for the Moslem-Christian Dialogue.

The speakers were unanimous in agreeing that the challenges that we face nowadays as Moslems and Christians necessitate the belief in the Almighty God, self-confidence and the enhancement of our national unity as Moslems and Christians as this unity has persisted throughout 1400 years.

They asserted that our unity will continue to be strong, hand by hand for the welfare of the nation, calling for further boosting the process of Moslem-Christian dialogue and world peace.

The speakers condemned "acts of barbarism perpetrated by Israeli occupation troops against the Palestinian people, Moslem and Christian holy places."

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Culture Mahmoud al-Sayyed, senior party and state officials, the Grand Mufti of Lebanon Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani, Several ambassadors accredited in Damascus and a host of Moslem and Christian clergymen.

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