His Holiness Pope Tawadros II participated yesterday in the two-day “World Conference in Support of Jerusalem” organized by Al-Azhar, with the participation of representatives of 86 countries.
HH the Pope delivered a speech at the opening session of the conference, along with a number of leaders of Islamic and Christian religious institutions, led by the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Dr. Youssef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Dr. Olaf Fix Tavit, Secretary General of the World Council of Churches and Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League.
The President of Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen, Mr. Ahmed Abo elGheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Sheikh Marzouq Al-Ghanim, President of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, Sheikh Dr. Saleh Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Meshaal bin Fahmy al-Salami, President of the Arab Parliament also delivered a speech at the opening session.
“We refuse violence, coercion and religiousness of Arab Palestinian conflict. We also refuse the use of religion away from its main purposes. We refuse extremist explanations of Torah that deny others and impinge on their rights,” said Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria.
During his speech at the International Conference in support of Jerusalem on Wednesday, Pope Tawadros said that the Coptic Orthodox Church’s firm stance regarding Jerusalem comes from its commitment toward common living aspirations and the common destiny.
He also said that the church declared its complete rejection of the U.S. decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, adding that this decision will lead to judaizing Jerusalem.
He further remarked that the church has never gone into conflicts with any entity or religion, and refuses intolerance and wars.
The cause has cultural, economical and historical aspects, and putting the cause into the religious dimension is a disaster; consequently, Pope Tawadros said that the church is committed to the rights of subjugated, persecuted and exiled people.
“We always stand beside those who struggle for their rights and humanitarian dignity and refuse coercion and violence.”
He called on the Arab world to think of how Palestinians could restore their legitimate rights since the resolutions of the United Nations and Security Council have not been put into effect.
Consequently, he remarked that a study on the Jerusalem status in terms of the tragic humanitarian conditions witnessed by Palestinians struggling for their legitimate rights should be conducted.
He referred that it is very important to come together to resolve this important issue as Jerusalem is not just place of historic monuments, but it represents a special value of faith, aspirations and memory. It is also a symbol for peace and security.
He pointed out that church has long exerted efforts throughout its history to resolve the Palestinian issue and stand beside Palestinians.
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