Greek Orthodox Church organizes iftar dinner in Istanbul

The iftar dinner event held at the Panagia Church located in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district was attended by Tarabya Metropolitan Bishop Apostol Daniilidis, Beyoğlu Virgin Mary Assyrian Church Executive Committee head Sait Susin, Justice and Development Party (AKP) Beşiktaş district head Ferşat Yıldırım, Republican People’s Party (CHP) Beşiktaş district head Sebahattin Öztürk and many other guests. The participants broke their fast after the ezan prayer. 

Taking the floor after the prayer, Daniilidis thanked those who had organized the gathering in the holy month of Ramadan.

“This event is a sign [of] how tolerant our country is. This tolerance is a tradition particular to the Ottomans. We [have been] continuing this tradition up until [today]. This is a sacred religious duty not only about body discipline but also self-discipline, a unifying, familiarizing act enchanting us with its divine atmosphere, elevating the spirit. The 21st century has started with quite unpleasant developments. Among all these fluctuations, efforts have increased to treasure love and peace, the values we need to sustain. All the prophets of monotheistic religions have mentioned the significance of love, respect and tolerance… I wish that the upcoming Ramadan holiday is celebrated in peace, tranquility and fraternity in our country and in all [the] Islamic world,” he said. 

Yıldırım and Öztürk also thanked the organizers of the iftar dinner in their speeches.