Will Bring Happiness And Peace To World

ISTANBUL - Religious Affairs Head Ali Bardakoglu said on Monday that ''if religions are understood and explained well, they will bring light, happiness and peace to the whole world and humanity.''
Addressing the dinner hosted by Marmara Group Strategic and Social Researches Foundation for peace and tolerance among religions, Bardakoglu said that the God sent religions to people for their happiness, adding religions should not be turned into means of fight, violence and terrorism.
Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos referred to the importance of improving the friendship and dialogue among religions.
Vatican Interreligious Dialogue Centre's Secretary General Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata said that religions had great importance for installation of peace. He said religion should not be a tool of politics.
Turkey's Armenians Patriarch Mesrob II said that religions were for love and peace.
Many religious leaders and community leaders also from Belgium, Sweden, the U.S., Russia and Azerbaijan attended the meeting.
(ÖŞ) 04.11.2003