THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE THREE FAITHS: "WE STRONGLY CONDEMN WARS AND TERRORIST ACTIVITIES"

A statement was released following the meeting of representatives of three monotheist faiths in Turkey under the chairmanship of Religious Affairs Head Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz in order to call on the sides in the Middle East to put an end to acts of violence and to resume peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

The statement read out by Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, the Head of Religious Affairs, expressed that the representatives of three monotheist faiths in Turkey have decided to come together due to the recent developments in the world that might disturb global peace, particularly the latest situation in the Middle East.

The statement is as follows:

"Some circles claim that continuing wars in the world were originated from religious differences. However, the real reasons of the wars are political considerations and economic interests. Those aiming at consolidating hegemony of power have been inciting the wars. On the other hand, weapon dealers and those who want to transform natural resources into weapons have been contributing to the escalation of tension. Their ambition results in killing of innocent people. Blood and tears drag humanity into catastrophe. Monotheist faiths cannot accept it.

Adherents of all monotheist faiths share the some moral and humanitarian values. These values defend peace, freedom, morals, affection and a fair order.

We all target to save the universe from chaos, and to make dominant the happiness. The Mighty God wants the human being to settle peace and harmony in the world. It is our duty to settle peace and harmony in this mortal world. The test of man in front of God is to settle peace and harmony. We will fail in this worldly test if we disobey the values set by the Holy Creator and forget morals, virtue and honesty. We will pay for it in the next world.

To incite war and terrorism will change today's world into hell, and consolidate hatred and enmity among next generations. As a result, enmity will continue forever.

The holy books of the three monotheist faiths that we belong never permit war and violence.

We, as representatives of three monotheist faiths in Turkey, strongly condemn wars, terrorist activities and acts of violence especially in the Middle East and in the whole world. Within this context, we want the meaningless wars to be terminated disregarding countries, religions, languages and races, we want the sides in the Middle East to put an end to the current clashes, to settle peace as soon as possible and to stop attacks particularly on religious, historical and cultural heritage.

As a result, we invite people and governments to the sound of affection, peace, wisdom, amity, supreme values and common sense. Turning a deaf ear to our call means entering the phase of changing the world into hell and exterminating humanity. People cannot ignore the call of the Holy Creator.

May Great God protect humanity from the psychosis of fighting and heedless wars. Our prayers are for the believers and whole humanity."

Signed by:

Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, The Head of Religious Affairs
Bartholomeos, Greek-Orthodox Patriarch
Mesrob Mutafyan, Patriarch of Turkish Armenians
Ohannes Colakyan, Archbishop, Armenian-Catholic Community Spiritual Leader
Ishak Haleva, Acting Chief Rabbi of Turkish Jews
Yusuf Cetin, Acting Patriarch, Syriac-Orthodox Community Spiritual Leader
Yusuf Sag, Acting Patriarch, Turkish Syriac-Catholic Community
Paul Karatas, Archbishop, Chaldean Spiritual Leader
Kostantin Kostof, Bulgarian-Orthodox Church Priest
Louis Pelatre, Istanbul Latin Community Spiritual Leader

(Press)