Highest Ranking Muslim Cleric in Syria Visits Armenia

In continuation of the inter-faith and inter-religious dialogues initiated by the Armenian Church, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmad Badr Ad-Din Hassoun, the Mufti of Aleppo and spiritual leader of the Muslims of the Syrian Arab Republic, traveled to Armenia last month upon the invitation of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

The visit of the Chief Mufti of Syria occurred less than one year following the visit of the Chief Rabbi of Israel to Holy Etchmiadzin as a guest of His Holiness.

Sheikh Ad-Din Hassoun was accompanied by Sheikh Abdul Fattah Al Bizem, Mufti of Damascus; Mr. Basel Kas Nasrallan, Secretary for Christian and Islamic Relations for the Syrian Arab Republic; and Sheikh Muhammad Abir Hassoun. Also accompanying the high-ranking delegation was His Grace Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus.

Arriving in Holy Etchmiadzin on September 2, the Chief Mufti was received by the Catholicos of All Armenians in the Pontifical Residence. Welcoming Sheikh Ad-Din Hassoun to the headquarters of the Armenian Church, His Holiness stated, "We are most happy that your visit to Armenia has given us the opportunity to renew our friendship and express our respect for the Syrian people." His Holiness, recalling his visit to Aleppo in 2001 where he was very warmly received, continued, "It was a great consolation for us and our people to witness the love and respect of the Syrian people and authorities when we visited Der Zor. We and our predecessors have always appreciated the brotherhood and friendship of the Arab peoples, which was most highly manifested in the years following the Armenian Genocide, when your nation and many others received the survivors and their descendants in your hospitable lands, giving them the opportunity to reestablish their lives and families."

Sheikh Ad-Din Hassoun thanked the Pontiff of All Armenians for the warm welcome, congratulating him and all Armenians throughout the world on the 15th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia. The Chief Mufti spoke of the good relations between Armenia and Syria and added that the people of Syria received the Armenians fleeing genocide not as immigrants, but as brothers. Sheikh Ad-Din Hassoun also stressed the necessity for peace and tolerance in the world, and the cooperation and ever-present communication among the leaders of world religions. "The past has given us a history of blood and suffering. The future must hold a different path for mankind", stated the Mufti.

As part of the three-day visit of the Syrian religious leader, the Chief Mufti and his delegation visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial and Museum of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan. In tribute to the 1.5 million victims of the first genocide of the 20th century, Sheikh Ad-Din Hassoun stated, "If nations followed their religions, such crimes would never happen"¦"

The Chief Mufti of Syria and his delegation also attended the Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin as guests of His Holiness Karekin II. In his message, the celebrant bishop, His Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrosian, welcomed the high-ranking guests from Syria to Armenia and extended the best wishes on behalf of all Armenians to Sheikh Ad-Din Hassoun and his entire faithful flock. Also present for the Liturgy this Sunday were Roman Catholic pilgrims from the Vatican, led by His Excellency Abp. Claudio Gugerotti and Anglican pilgrims from the Church of England, led by His Grace Bishop Geoffrey Rowell. Abp. Petrosian further mentioned how pleasing to God it must be that Armenians, Catholics, Anglicans and Muslims were united today in Holy Etchmiadzin raising their prayers of praise and thanksgiving to heaven.

Also in attendance for the Divine Liturgy were the Ambassadors of Syria and Lebanon to Armenia and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

On the final day of his trip, the Chief Mufti visited Yerevan State University and presented a lecture on the sanctity of man, divine love and fraternal love. He was welcomed by the President of the University Dr. Aram Simonian and Dean of the Theological Faculty of YSU Very Rev. Fr. Anushavan Jamkotchian. Following his lecture to the students and faculty, the Mufti answered questions from those assembled.

Additionally, the Chief Mufti visited the Vaskenian Theological Seminary of Lake Sevan and the historic "Blue" Mosque in central Yerevan. Prior to his departure, Sheikh Ad-Din Hassoun and His Holiness Karekin II participated in a joint press conference held in Holy Etchmiadzin.

At the conclusion of the visit of the spiritual leader of Syria, His Holiness offered prayers to heaven, asking the Almighty to bless, keep and strengthen the Chief Mufti of Syria and to make his service to his nation and people fruitful and successful.