Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Homs (Agenzia Fides) - "Mussalaha", the interfaith movement for reconciliation, born spontaneously in the civil society in some Syrian cities (see Fides 12 and 27/06/2012), is taking steps forward and obtained the attention of Ali Haidar, Minister for National Reconciliation. The People's Committee of "Mussalaha", as reported by sources of Fides, met in recent days in the region of Homs, in the presence of Minister Haidar, Socialist and from the opposition party "Syrian Social Nationalist Party."
The meeting was attended by the Governor of Homs, Sheikh Ahmad, several tribal leaders, representatives of all ethnic groups and religions, Arab community leaders, civil authorities of the city of Homs, civil society leaders, including Akram Qalish, the Syrian Catholic priest Fr. Michael Naaman, the sheikh Habib Fendi, professionals and ordinary citizens of good will. They all witnessed the desire to "reach out their hand of reconciliation to stop the bleeding of wounds in Syria" and to "unite the children of Syria in love and reconciliation." The Assembly stressed the rejection of sectarianism, expressing the desire to build a "civilization of love and coexistence" among the children of the same country. The participants reaffirmed the priority of friendship and brotherhood, they then insisted on the urgency of stopping the violence, and promote the work of reconciliation in the country, to rebuild a frayed social fabric, based on forgiveness and understanding.
With regards to the demands of civil society, the minister Ali Haider said to have "open doors" and find themselves in a project of national reconciliation, adding that the ministry has a vision and a strategy that will soon be made public. Minister Haidar paid a personal price in the conflict, as his son, Haidar Ismael, was murdered last May. His ministry, he announced, will create an interactive website, with direct telephone lines to receive reports from citizens. The Ministry of Reconciliation, concluded Haidar, is "the dwelling of all Syrians, without exception," ensuring that his Commission of work "will be composed of 23 million Syrians." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 06/07/2012)
