Celestial Religions Leaders Meet For a "Peace Prayer"
Prominent leaders within the three celestial religions gathered yesterday for a 'peace prayer' against terror organized by the Journalists and Writers Foundation and the Intercultural Dialogue Platform.
Convening at the Hilton Hotel in Istanbul, the religious leaders prayed in their own languages for peace. Present were Istanbul Mufti Prof. Mustafa Cagrici, Fener Greek Patriarch Archbishop Bartholomew I, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey Archbishop Mesroh II Mutafyan, Latin Catholic Congregation Spritual Leader Louis Pelatre, the Chief Rabbi Rav. Ishak Haleva, The Syrian Metropolitan Patriarchal Vicar of Istanbul and Ankara Mor Filksinos Yusuf Cetin, Roman Catholic Apostolic Vicar in Istanbul Monsignor Georges Marovitch, and Assyrian Catholic Patriarcal Vicar in Turkey Chorbishop Yusuf Sag.
Speaking at the ceremony, Intercultural Dialogue Platform General Coordinator Prof. Niyazi Oktem said that the interfaith dialogue concept is relatively new in Turkey: "At the beginning, there were many to oppose it; however with the initiatives of Fethullah Gülen Hodja, the Islamic side made a leap forward in dialogue. The Hodja Efendi visited both the Patriarch and the Pope."
Oktem brought to light that all three celestial religions have love and peace at the essence and revealed that Islam means 'coming together in peace' while The Prophet Jesus is the symbol of love. He stated the dialogue process is now in a phase of institutionalization and said the Intercultural Dialogue Platform is an example of that.
After the prayer, the leaders shared their 2004 New Year resolutions and wishes. While Cagrici emphasized that Islam is a religion of peace, Sag wished a new year that will not make us miss the past. Haleva noted communal praying is something that Allah wants and said, "Let's feel and experience these wishes."
Bartholomew remembered another peace prayer held last New Year with the invitation of the Pope and said in order to provide peace in the world, people should first be at peace with Allah. Underlining that justice, humanity, solidarity and brotherhood are requirements to stop bloody incidents, the Greek Patriarch said: "We could make a contribution to peace in 2004. With this opportunity, I congratulate the Istanbul Mufti whom I see as a sweet and down to earth person as well as the Journalists and Writers Foundation which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The Foundation made very important contributions to both Turkey's prosperity and to world peace.
In addition, Mutafyan said religion should not be pointed out as something dreadful and said: "Because of those who are fanatics, a religion cannot be blamed. For God's Sake, does terror has a nationality and religion? The depraved could be from every home or every nation. To wipe out terror, economic solidarity and education are important."
On the other side, Marovitch thanked Gülen for his pioneering efforts on peace in Turkey and on the dialogue process. He said: "Hodjaefendi is like a Mevlana model of our era. He invites everyone without discriminating against anyone. His door is open to all and we came by answering his call."
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