Russian Orthodox Church representative meets with the Grand Mufti of Syria

Archimandrite Alexander Yelisov, representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Patriarch of Great Antioch and All the East, met on March 28, 2006, with the newly-elected Grand Mufti of Syria, Dr. Ahmad Badr El Dine El Hassoun, at the Waquf Ministry.

During the meeting, which was held in a trusting spirit, Archimandrite Alexander informed the mufti about the experience of peaceful co-existence of the Christian and Muslim population, accumulated in Russia through centuries, and the interaction between the Orthodox and Islamic cultures. He also spoke about the cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Muslim religious centers in Russia today.

The Russian church representative conveyed to the Grand Mufti an invitation from His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia to come to Moscow for the World Summit of Religious Leaders to be held on July 4-5, 2006.

Archimandrite Alexander was accompanied by Mr. Ahmed Dabbas, a Syrian parliament member.

From the press service of the Moscow Patriarchate Representation
to the Patriarchate of Antioch