DECR chairman expresses condolences to Secretary General of Organization of the Islamic Cooperation over the tragedy in Mecca

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, sent a message of condolences to Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani, Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, over the tragedy in Mecca, as the result of which hundreds of people had died and been wounded. The text of the message is given below.

Dear Mr. Madani,

I have been very grieved to learn about the tragedy in Mecca, as the result of which hundreds of pilgrims from different countries died. Yesterday I attended the opening of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque complex and shared the joy of this event with Russia’s Muslims and representatives of many Islamic countries. However, when the days of sorrow come, we also share the pain of our Muslim brothers.

Please accept my sincere and profound condolences over the tragedy.

We deeply empathize with the relatives and friends of the victims and wish them strength and fortitude in this day of mourning.

With profound condolences,
/+Hilarion/

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate