“Divine Love,” A Joint Message from the Christians and Muslims of Aleppo
The Minister of Culture Dr. Lubana Mashouh said: “The music that we listened today embodies your love for each other”
Aleppo, September 5, 2024
Today, the Throne Hall in Aleppo Citadel witnessed the common message between Christians and Muslims about loving God and getting closer to Him. Today's evening was a patriotic scene written by the people of Aleppo in the "Divine Love" event that was held within the “Nour Men Halab” ("Light from Aleppo") week, under the patronage of the Ministries of Culture and Tourism and organized by the Aleppo Endowments Directorate and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo, Alexandretta & Dependencies, in the Throne Hall of the Citadel of Aleppo.
This evening was attended by: the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Aleppo, Alexandretta & Dependencies His Eminence Metropolitan Ephraim Maalouli, the Minister of Culture Dr. Lubana Mashouh, Mr. Hussein Diab, the Governor of Aleppo and Member of the Central Committee of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, Comrade Ahmed Mansour, the Secretary of the Arab Socialist Baath Party Branch in Aleppo, Comrade Louay Chachati, the Secretary of the Arab Socialist Baath Party branch at the University of Aleppo, His Eminence the Mufti of Aleppo Dr. Mahmoud Akam, Dr. Maral Sarkis, the Vice President of the University of Aleppo for Scientific Affairs and Member of the Central Committee of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, Members of the People’s Assembly in Aleppo, a Representative of the Director of Endowments Dr. Rami El Obaid, the Director of Tourism Mrs. Nayla Chahoud, Their Eminenes the Bishops of Aleppo and their representatives, the Fathers Priests, their Eminence Sheikhs and Islamic Religious Scholars, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, and other political, administrative, security, social, educational and media figures, as well as Members of Church councils, institutions and committees, in addition to organizations, associations, charities, and invitees.
The “Divine Love” evening began with a speech delivered by Mr. Wadih Lawand, who is responsible for organizing the event, in which he explained the meaning of this evening and its importance.
Then, His Eminence the Mufti of Aleppo Dr. Mahmoud Akam delivered a speech in which he emphasized that adoration is an excess of love... and whoever knows God loves him... and love, if it is confirmed, is adoration.
Afterwards, the audience interacted with a mosaic painting scene that included chants, hymns, and poems read or composed, interspersed with reflections and explanations about what the human soul has reached in terms of love and adoration for God.
The evening of “Divine Love” revolved around two main topics: the Sufism on the Islam side and the Hesychast Hermits on the Christian side, as well as the common points between both sides.
At the end of the evening, the Archbishop of Aleppo delivered a touching and brief speech in which he said: “In this populous city, from the heart of the steadfast citadel and from the fragrant history of this hall, we received today the call to get out from everything and enter into the depths of our hearts, which only God can fill with His love.”
His Eminence thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the “Divine Love” evening, as well as thanked the musician Rafi Fakas and presented to him the Shield of Light.
He also presented to each of the Minister of Culture Dr. Lubana Mashouh and the Minister of Tourism, Mohammad Rami Martini (represented by the Director of Tourism in Aleppo Mrs. Nayla Chahoud), who were the main supporters of the evening, a small model of the castle with the slogan of the event, “Light from Aleppo,” written on it. The Minister of Culture concluded the evening with a heartfelt speech in which she said:
“O people of Aleppo, whom Syria adores, we adore you for your love, for your faith in your land and your homeland, we adore you for your originality and creativity. What kind of music we listened to today? It is the music that embodied your love for each other. Whoever loves God loves his country. So stay the way you are. May Syria live in you and with you.”