Keftaro Academy denies allegations

Syria's republic Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Keftaro's Academy on Wednesday rejected the "campaigns of accusations and lies circulated by some foreign newspapers which target distorting the image of Islam and the Islamic educational institutions that graduate preachers of peace, moderation and tolerance."

In a statement in Damascus, the Academy stressed that it is an open forum for western and eastern delegations, adding the events had proven the Islamic Academy's role in enhancing the noble values, dialogue, fraternity and rapprochement among nations.

It condemned the false campaigns which try to distort the realities in order to cover the wars and real terrorism that perpetrate the massacres against innocent people in the region and the world.

The statement concluded by saying that the cheap lies and accusations directed against the Academy is a means which comes in the framework of the pressure campaigns on "Syria in a bid to divert it from its noble and honor stances in supporting the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation."