Rouhani Congratulates Pope, Christians on Christmas, New Year

Rasa - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a message to Pope Francis felicitated him on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ and the arrival of the New Christian Year.

News ID: 426038

Date: 25 December 2016 - 22:42

RNA - "I hope that the world will see peace and justice in the New Year," President Rouhani said in his message on Saturday.

The Iranian president also expressed the hope that the New Year would be one of spirituality, tolerance, progress and dignity along with peace and justice for all humans across the world.

The Iranian president also on Saturday congratulated the world leaders on the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of the prophet of peace and kindness and the advent of the new Christian year.

Rouhani expressed hope that in line with the teachings of the prophets, which brought dialogue and understanding among nations, the world would witness stability and security and the end of the sufferings of the countless people plagued by oppression, corruption and terrorism.

The Iranian president also prayed that God would bestow "happiness and prosperity" upon nations and governments.

In relevant remarks on Saturday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani congratulated his Christian counterparts on the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ, expressing the hope that the world parliaments would increase cooperation to fight against terrorism.

In his message to the Christian countries' speakers on Saturday, the top Iranian parliamentarian hoped for the establishment of peace and security in the world, and wished for health and success of all Christian states and nations.

"To attain the ideals of Christ, I believe the dialogue of Abrahamic religions will play a great role; parliaments, as representatives of their nations would contribute to this; Iran’s Parliament welcomes any initiative which seeks to organize such a dialogue and would openly contribute to peace efforts across the globe,” Larijani said in his message.

Larijani underlined that cooperation among the parliaments in fighting terrorism and extremism as well as the interfering and double-standard policies can be an important part of international strategy to this end.

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