THE MARMARA FOUNDATION CONGREGATES
THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THREE RELIGIONS
14th Traditional Love İftar Dinner Meal has been held under the presidency of Prof. Ali Bardakoğlu, President of Religious Affairs of Turkey within the scope of the Intercultural Dialogue Studies of the Marmara Foundation.
Dr. Akkan Suver underlined that they as the Marmara Foundation give great importance to the ritual in Sumela Monastery, the ritual which was permitted to hold in Akdamar Island and the restorations of Saint Paul Church in Tarsus, in his opening speech.
Syrian Catholic Patriarchal Vicar in Turkey Chor-Episcopos Yusuf Sağ, Assyrian Orthodox Community Metropolit Yusuf Çetin, Turkey Armenian Patriarch Aram Ateşyan, Turkey’s Chief Rabbi Isak Haleva, attended the Iftar dinner. In the Iftar in which Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos who is abroad addressed the guests by means of barcovision, many Consule Generals in Istanbul and foreign consular missions officials, some Member of Parliaments of AKP and CHP, some Rektors from some universities in Istanbul, presidents of trade and industry chambers and Minister of Environment of Kosovo Mahir Yağcılar were among the participants of the 14th Love Iftar Meal.
Syrian Catholic Patriarchal Vicar in Turkey Chor-Episcopos Yusuf Sağ “Poverty is one of the most important issues of our age. Humankind still keeps turning a blind eye to poverty in spite of God’s words and consuming the possessions for its own nature. It must be known well that every one of us is responsible for every poor person.”
Turkey Armenian Patriarch Aram Ateşyan said that people trample on the world which is created for and commended to them to live.
Taking the floor just after the speech of Turkey’s Chief Rabbi Isak Haleva, President of Religious Affairs Prof. Ali Bardakoğlu pointed out the common points of three monotheistic religions and said “Religion is not for after-life but for this world. Ever one should be more respectful and participative for the possessions of the world.” (August 16, 2010)
