Hassoun: Syria’s Victory Is a Victory for Russia, Secularism

 MOSCOW- Consultations and the exchange of views between the Russian and Syrian friends at all levels, particularly between the men of religion of both countries, are important, Russian President’s Special Envoy for the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has stressed, pointing out that religious men can affect people’s ideas and disseminate sublime humanitarian values among them.

 Bogdanov, who was speaking during his meeting on Monday with Syria’s Grand Mufti Badreddin Hassoun in Moscow, said the Ninth Session of the Syrian-Russian Committee for Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical cooperation, which was wrapped up in Sochi three days ago, was fruitful, pointing out that ministers and senior officials from both countries took part in the meetings to reactivate economic and trade cooperation and to facilitate custom and financial procedures to meet the aspirations of the two sides.

Bogdanov and Syria’s Mufti also held talks on the situation in Syria and the entire region.

On his part, Hassoun affirmed that Syria is facing a foreign-backed war aiming to create civil war in the country, stressing that “Syria’s victory in this war is a victory to Russia and to secularism in the world.”

Hassoun, who warned against mixing between religion and the state, urged holding a conference for the world scholars in Moscow to stand against the wars, which America and western countries are trying to ignite in different parts of the world including Ukraine.

He hailed Russia’s supportive stance towards Syria, asserting that without the far-sighted Russian stance and the Iranian support, the entire region would have been burnt because of the foreign-funded extremism and terrorism targeting countries of this region.

In a statement to reporters, Hassoun said meetings between the Russian and Syrian officials covered all cooperation aspects and means to face extremism threatening the world.

On the situation in Syria, the Mufti said “thanks to their wise leadership, national unity and adherence to the homeland, the Syrian people managed to withstand the terrorist takfiri war waged against them. We can say that Syria has achieved military victory and now focus is being put on the economic, social, spiritual and cultural reconstruction of the homeland.”

Hamda Mustafa