This week the foreign ministers of the countries-members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation agreed on the suspension of Syria’s membership in this organization. According to BBC, only a recommendation is discussed because such a decision, according to the procedure, can be made only by heads of the countries-members of the OIC. At the moment the Western countries and some Arab states strive for resignation of the Syrian president Bashar Assad. They are sure it will stop the violence. Russia and China worry than foreign interference will lead to the conflict’s escalation. Russia actively discusses preservation of the Syrian cultural heritage.
Dmitry Pakhomov, Head of the international fund Christian Solidity
Syria is a sacred land for Christians and Muslims, a sacred land of prophets and apostles. Civilizations have appeared and disappeared here for centuries. But they don’t disappear replacing each other, they fit into each other. The Arab Republic of Syria appeared in 1963 in its modern state. But it is the country where ancient traditions of Christianity and Islam gathered. The Syrians believe that the history of humanity began here. One is told that there is a cave near Damascus where Cain killed Abel. Ancestor James came there from Hanaan to marry Rachel in Old Testament times. It is written in the Bible. Apostle Paul was baptized in Damascus, in Ananias’s house. A church was built on this spot. Christians were called “Christians” for the first time in ancient Antioch. The Christian community founded by Apostles Peter and Paul still exists; today it is headed by Antioch Patriarch Ignatius. The founder of the youngest world religion, Islam, Prophet Muhammad passing Damascus didn’t enter the city and said that it was so beautiful that looked like paradise, and you can ender paradise only once. The past and the presence of Syria live in souls of Syrian citizens, in souls of Syrian Arabs. Christian and Muslim communities have been living peacefully for centuries, and only external interventions of conquerors, like crusades, disturbed the balance. In the 20 century Christians and Muslims of Syria constructed the great state together leading it toward stability and prosperity.
But today somebody has decided to sow discord within them. We all know who tries to do it – the states who want to be the world hegemons. These people don’t appreciate great cultural heritages, they don’t appreciate the world history, they rewrite it. The fund Christian International Solidity plans to organize an international exhibition with demonstration of photo and video materials on destruction of Christian shrines by representatives of radical Muslim groups from a European country. We want to draw attention of the international society to the problem of preservation of cultural heritage of ancient Christian churches.
Naovah Ibrahim, member of the Central Council of the Syrian Students National Union, president of the Union in Russia and the CIS
Powerful information is conducted against Syria. Christian and Muslim cultural heritage facilities are being destroyed in Syria. The ancient civilization of 7 thousand-year old is being destroyed in Syria. In various cities – in Damascus, Saidnaya, Aleppo, Homs – destruction of Christian shrines, Muslim shrines took place. Is this beautiful country destroyed in favor of democracy? The ancient country in the sphere of religion, science, and sightseeing attractions. It should be stopped.
Antioch and the all-East Patriarch Ignatius IV
Syria witnessed the very first steps of Christianity. That is why ancient Christian traditions are closely connected with the history of Syria. We are representatives of various confessions, religions are united by similar feelings. We take one position. We stand for peace, for settlement of the problems which our country faces as soon as possible. It is very important for us that Syria stays a consolidated country, preserves its identity, its image despite all efforts to destroy and divide it.
