RNA – After being introduced at a meeting with members of the Department of Religious Studies at Qom’s Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute, His Holiness Sebuh Sarkisian, the Armenian Archbishop of Tehran and Northern Iran, pointed out the differences and similarities between the Abrahamic religions of Islam and Christianity and noted the peaceful coexistence and cordiality between Muslims and Christians throughout history, noting that many religious meetings were held in Lebanon, especially between the Armenian Catholicos and various Islamic communities.
“Imam Musa al-Sadr was the one of the most outstanding personalities and he participated in these events at time when I was the secretary of the late Catholicos Khoren I [1963-1983], I met with figures such as Imam al-Sadr,” the Christian scholar said.
Archbishop Sarkisian continued, saying that he participated as the Catholicos’ secretary in several international meetings and enjoyed the debates, particularly the speeches of Imam al-Sadr, who was “one of the most virtuous personalities of [interfaith] dialogue that I have ever known,” adding that he did not attend the lectures that he delivered in churches, such as the St. Louis Capuchin Cathedral, but he followed the late Lebanese Shi’a leaders works’ and speeches and has a collection of them in his library.
His Holiness said dialogue between Islam and Christianity is rooted in history, and today, we have come to the conclusion that the purpose of dialogue cannot be changed. “The purpose of dialogue has been that alongside each other, we can have a better life, take advantage of the divine blessings in the best way and guide humanity to a higher life,” he said.
The Armenian Archbishop of Tehran and Northern Iran addressed the Islamic missionaries, saying: “We are facing challenges that we never faced in the past and no one could have imagined. These challenges are critical and threaten the followers of all religions. Our mission as Muslims and Christians is that we recognize the commonalities in religion which, in my opinion, are many.”
Archbishop Sarkisian added: “Then all together, we must strive so that the people avoid the phenomenon of immorality, especially the youth. Unfortunately, we face moral decay in all communities and therefore, dialogue has become vital and inevitable and all must demonstrate their adherence to this.”
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