President al-Assad receives delegation of Islamic scholars

President Bashar al-Assad received on Wednesday a delegation of senior Islamic scholars on the occasion of Ramadan; the holy month of fasting.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Awqaf (Religious Endowments) Mohammad Abdul-Sattar al-Sayyed and Grand Mufti of the Republic Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun.

Talks during the meeting dealt with the situation in Syria and the role of the religious establishment during the crisis, with President al-Assad focusing on the role of clergymen and scholars in raising awareness for protecting Islam and society from such dangers as extremism and fanaticism.

The President considered that diversity in Syria can only be protected by popular awareness in society.

President al-Assad underlined the role of the religious establishment in spreading a correct understanding of religion, considering that future generations must be paid full attention and should be addressed by means of analysis, not indoctrination.

The President said that the coming stage will be even tougher on the intellectual level.

The scholars, for their part, stressed determination to purify Islam from the impurities caused to it by organizations that are so detached from Islam, citing in this regard the importance of fighting terrorist and extremist thought and propagating moderation and openness.