Damascus (AsiaNews) In the afternoon of May, 2001, Pope John Paul II became the first head of the Catholic Church to enter a mosque, the Umayyad Great Mosque in Damascus, which, according to tradition, is the burial place of John the Baptist, a Muslim prophet according to Islam.
As Muslim tradition demands the Pope put on slippers on entering the place as a sign of respect for its sacredness. He was accompanied by the Grand Mufti of Damascus, Ahmad Kuftaro. And inside, he stood before John the Baptist's reliquary.
In the courtyard opposite the mosque, the Pope urged Muhammad's followers and Christians to find mutual understanding and engage in real dialogue.
He called upon Christian and Muslim educators to teach the young that religions are "communities in respectful dialogue" and "never in conflict".
The Pontiff said he hoped that the new generations would be educated "to respect and understand each other" so that they do not "abuse religion to promote or justify hatred and violence".
The Syrian trip, which ended on May 8, gave John Paul II an opportunity to raise to God a prayer for peace in the region.
From the Golan Heights he called on the All-Mighty to help "all the peoples in the Middle East break down the walls of hostility and build together a world of justice and solidarity". (LF)