Clergymen: Neo-Ottomans Commit Massacres in Syria

DAMASCUS, (ST)-Those who legitimized killing, terrorism and massacres have nothing to do neither with heavenly religions nor with moral and humanitarian values, stressed Minister of Awqaf (Islamic Trusts) Moammad Abdul Sattar Assayed.

The minister made the remark during his visit yesterday to the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate and the Orthodox Armenian Archbishopric marking the 100 anniversary of “Sayfo” massacres committed by the Ottomans against the Syriac Christians, the Armenians and other groups in Syria.

He pointed out that these massacres proves to the whole world that the massacres being committed by the Neo Ottomans-backed terrorists in Syria affirm that the Islam is innocent of such horrible practices and their supporters, because “Islam and Christianity are twin religions sent for the good of humanity”.

“What is happening in Syria is clear-cut evidence that terrorism and criminality have nothing to do with all religions and that Islam is innocent of the accusations of terrorism made by the United States and its western allies and Israel targeting Islam.

On is part, the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All East Mar Ignatius Afram II, asserted that the strong cohesion among the Syrian people (both Moslems and Christians is the relation which has protected and is now protecting Syria.

“He pointed out that half million people from the Syriac Christians in Syria were massacred by the Ottoman killers,” the patriarch said.

“By commemorating the 100 anniversary of “Sayfo” massacres, we wanted to say to the whole world that what is going in Syria is not different from what happened one hundred years ago.”

He stressed that the terrorist takfiri thinking can’t be fought except by another thinking that respect faith, Islam and humanity.

“Syria is now witnessing the end of the crisis and the Syrians will continue to present massages of peace and amity to the whole world,” the patriarch said.

Baddreddin Hassoun, the Grand Mufti of Syria, warned the Turkish people against the behavior of their rulers.

He urged the international organization and the government of the world countries to pressure the Turkish government to release the two kidnapped Aleppo archbishop.

Hamda Mustafa