Syria's Grand Mufti Invites Pope Benedict to Syria

(August 2, 2008) Syria's grand mufti, the country's top Sunni Muslim religious authority, and leader of 18 million Muslims, says he would like to meet Pope Benedict XVI and persuade him to visit Syria to celebrate the year of St. Paul, the apostle converted on the road to Damascus. The mufti, Sheik Ahmad Badereddine Hassoun, made the comments in Damascus, according to the Italian news agency Apcom and other reports Friday. «I would like to invite the Holy Father to visit our country, following in the footsteps of St. Paul, » Hassoun said. He further added, «I am available for a meeting at the Vatican. I would like to see him one on one to plan the visit together. » The Vatican spokesman, the Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, said the invitation attests to the current «serene climate» in Syria and «good relations» with the country. Pope Benedict has been trying to improve ties with Islam since giving a speech in Germany in 2006 that angered many in the Muslim world. Hassoun, a moderate cleric, said «There is a dialogue, and between religions and intellectuals there are always discussions. » Hassoun is among a group of 138 Muslim scholars that has called for greater dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Pope Benedict XVI met with Syria's vice president in September to discuss the situation of Christians in Syria and the role Damascus should play in bringing peace to the Middle East. The pope has urged Syria to use its influence in the region to help resolve conflicts and counter terrorism