Istanbul, 30th July - The Vice Mufti of Istanbul, Sabri Demir and the Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartolomeo I, are the protagonists of the last stage of the “Friendship Trip” of Rondine Cittadella della Pace that got to Turkey after crossing the South Caucasus. After Benedict XVI’s blessing of the trip before departure, the two audiences reaffirm the official support of religious institutions to interconfessional dialogue, cultivated by Rondine daily. In the International Hall of Residence, unique in its kind at a European level, Muslim, Jewish, Christian Orthodox and Catholic students coming from areas in conflict (the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Balkans, Africa) find in daily coexistence, friendship and dialogue the concrete answers to war.

“According to the Koran, God created us as man and woman, as Adam and Eve, with neither of them being superior to the other. The only superior ones are good people, moral and honest, otherwise there are no differences between us” explained the Vice Mufti to Rondine’s delegation. “There is a great lack of dialogue in the world, this is why we hope your organization, having such a sacred purpose, will get known in other countries so as to promote the development of similar realities” - said Sabri Demir.

“It is necessary to eliminate all kinds of religious fanaticism that unfortunately still exists nowadays” - said the Orthodox Patriarch warmly welcoming the delegation - “as it is necessary to eliminate wars in the name of religions. Today Rondine has a new friend” - continued Bartolomeo I entertained with the young students. “Your experience is very interesting and is even more precious than the ones of universities and books, because according to the Gospel we must love each other.  And our world needs love, comprehension and reciprocal respect. And you need to teach this to future generations” - concluded the Patriarch, wishing the organization success with its project.