ARMENIAN NA SPEAKER MEETS WITH SYRIAN MUFTI

YEREVAN, September 4. /ARKA/. Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Tigran Torosyan has held a meeting with Mufti of Syria, Sheik Ahmad Badr Al-Dina Hassun. During the meeting, Speaker Torosyan pointed out the importance of the Mufti’s visit to Armenia now that “the neighboring state’s spiritual leader threatens Armenia with jihad.” “Religions cannot be a factor of estranging peoples. There are high values uniting people and allowing them to meet challenges,” Torosyan said.

In his turn, Sheik Hassun, commenting the statements on jihad made by the Leader of the Caucasian Muslims, said that jihad means life, but not war and murders. Jihad unites people round good ideas, and spiritual leaders’ task must be helping political leaders in establishing peace and prosperity, he said.

In this context, Speaker Torosyan stressed that just as jihad can have different interpretations inside one and the same religion, the term “democracy” an be interpreted in different ways. “This is defined as a form of government giving people prosperity and protection. But there are individuals and groups making use of democracy for war, though good is not imposed by means of war,” Torosyan said.

The sides pointed out the importance of retaining national identity by resisting globalization challenges.

Torosyan thanked Syria for caring about the Armenians that survived the 1915 Genocide and become Syrian citizens enjoying full rights. He also stressed that he is closely watching the events in the Near East. Torosyan said that he is concerned over the fate of not only his compatriots, but also friendly people.

The leader of the Caucasian Muslims Allahshukyur Pashazade recently stated his readiness to declare jihad for liberating “Azerbaijan’s occupied territories” when time comes. P.T. -0–