Mufti to French Delegation: Syria Has Been Fought for Being a Secular State
DAMASCUS, (ST)-Syria has repeatedly warned Europe of the scourge of extremism and terrorism, Syria’s Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun has stressed, pointing out that Syria has been targeted for being a secular state.
The Mufti made the remarks on Sunday during his meeting with a French delegation comprising Parliamentarians, intellectuals, researches and journalists.
“Syria has defended Europe against terrorism and it has been fighting terrorism and extremism on behalf of Europe, Hassoun said, noting that Syria’s war on terrorism goes in parallel with a reconciliation process cross the country.
He called for halting the support provided by the Turkish, Saudi and Qatari regimes to the terrorists and for putting an end to interference in the Syrian affairs.
“President of the Turkish regime Recepe Tayyib Erdogan has exploited the refugee and immigrant crisis and used it as a political tool to blackmail Europe and impose its own conditions, the Mufti said, pointing out that the Turkish intelligence body has given false Syrian Passports to Afghans, Tajiks and people of different nationalities to help them enter Europe.
On his part, Auxiliary Bishop at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East Luqa al-Khoury, who attended the meeting, affirmed that “Syria is the home of amity and tolerance where citizens enjoy equal rights and duties…it is the country that exported peace and civilization to the West.”
The bishop urged members of the guest delegation to convey the real image about what they saw in Syria to the French people in general and to the French government in particular.
Delegation Hails Palmyra Victory
Head of the French delegation, member of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs at the French National Assembly Thierry Mariani, expressed satisfaction over the Syrian Arab Army’s restoration of peace and stability to the historical city of Palmyra.
He hailed the victories being attained by the Syrian Army in the fight against terrorists, saying that the terrorists who are killing the Syrians are the same terrorists who go to Europe and carry out attacks and explosions.
Delegation’s activities
The French delegation arrived in Damascus on Friday evening, beginning their visit at the House of Saint Ananias church in Bab Touma area in Damascus. They took part in Easter celebrations, visited old Damascus and had the opportunity to meet a number of Damascus University students. Yesterday, the delegation visited Massar project, where they got acquainted with its children-oriented programs and scientific activities that use interaction-based teaching methods.
Hamda Mustafa