Patriarch Sviatoslav met with representatives of Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine
Patriarch Sviatoslav of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church met with the delegation of the RAMU in the patriarchal residence in Kyiv on March 19. This is reported by the Department of Information of the UGCC.
The meeting was attended by the Head of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine Mufti of Ukraine Sheikh Ahmed Tamim and his deputy Sheikh Rustam Gafuri. Attending the meeting on behalf of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was Archpriest Ihor Shaban, Chairman of the UGCC Commission on Interfaith and Interreligious Relations.
One of the main topics of discussion was the recent historic visit of Pope Francis to the United Arab Emirates, where he came to build bridges of peace and brotherhood. In early February, more than 400 representatives of different world religions gathered in Dubai. Sheikh Ahmed Tamim, who also supported the joint "Document on human brotherhood for world peace and joint cohabitation" participated as a venerable guest and participant in the meeting on behalf of the Muslims of Ukraine in the Interreligious Forum – a joint declaration signed by Pope Francis and Great Imam Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Thaib. It is believed that this is not only a turning point in Christian-Muslim relations, but also a clear message on the international scene.
Analyzing the document, the Mufti emphasized that Muslims in Ukraine were also encouraging representatives of different religions, cultures and media workers to re-discover and share values of peace, justice, goodness, beauty, human brotherhood and cohabitation, and stated that the departure from religious values among the most important causes of the crisis in the modern world.
The Mufti of Ukraine noted that there are people who think of Islam as a religion of aggression and terrorism, but this, in his opinion, is an simple lie because Islam always teaches to spread goodness, work for the good of people and condemns the crimes of extremist movements. In Sheikh Tamim's opinion, Ukraine is different from many European countries: here, Muslims managed to establish good relations with society and develop their love for their homeland.
In response, Patriarch Sviatoslav thanked the delegates of the RAMU for their sincerity and openness to the dialogue and noted that the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was trying to see a brother in another person whom one should love and support, with whom one should unite and work together for peace.
Given that Sheikh Ahmed is a member of the Council of Muslim Wise Men (a special body whose members are leading Islamic scholars from all over the world) and that he is working in the international arena, His Beatitude Sviatoslav has conveyed his sincere condolences to the victims of terrorist attacks in New Zealand. “Please convey my deep regret, sorrow and words of consolation to those who have been affected by this tragedy,” the Head of the UGCC added.
In conclusion, the Patriarch Sviatoslav presented a jubilee book about the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to the participants of the meeting and wished development, peace and prosperity to the RAMU.
