Participating in Presidential Elections, first step to Build Syria –Patriarch

DAMASCUS,(ST)_ Patriarch Mar Ignatius Ephrem II Karim of Antioch and All the East, and Supreme Head of the World‘s Syrian Orthodox Church stressed the ” role played by the Syrian expatriates in defending Syrian’s sovereignty and the right of the Syrian people at home and abroad to self-determination and that of Syria, the mother of all Syrians.”

Patriarch Ephrem II Karim noted  during his meeting with a solidarity delegation, representing the Syrian community in Sweden at the Patriarchate headquarters in Damascus yesterday, the importance of the visit of the delegation members to Syria to support their brethren in distress and see the reality of what is happening on the ground, describing the visit itself, as a message for anyone who wants to know the truth about Syria.

His Holiness appealed all Syrians, at home and in foreign countries, to carry out their national and religious duty through participating in electing the President of the Republic and not to be hesitant to do so because this is the first step to build Syria as sought by dignified Syrians.

He stressed that what is happening in Syria of traumatic events and terrorist attacks will not undermine the commitment of the Syrians towards their country and national duties, calling for ” rejecting immigration, rather to cling to their homeland and to engage in constructive and purposeful national work.”

The meeting was attended by Director of expatriates department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Shaghaf Kayali.

T. Fateh