Patriarch John X receiving the Minister of Waqfs: “We stress the importance of coexistence in this East, at a time when sectarianism is rising”
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the John X stressed the importance of coexistence among all the components of this Levant at a time when there is much talk about sectarianism. The Patriarch uttered these words while he received the Minister of Waqfs, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Abdul Sattar Al-Sayyid, at the Patriarchate in Damascus. The meeting tackled the situation in the region and the world, where religion and religious symbols are now being violated under various appellations. The Minister expressed his solidarity with the Church in the face of the challenges, where freedom is used as an alibi to undermine sacred things. For his part, His Beatitude valued the importance of Syria’s experience as a meeting place for all religions with a mindset that goes beyond the concept of majority and minority to perceive each one’s role and message. The meeting touched on what is happening in wounded Gaza, whose tragedy is only a small part of what Palestine and all the occupied territories are suffering in terms of oppression and humiliation by the occupation. Both sides condemned everything happening, calling to end the war and establish peace.
