Shevchuk thanks mufti for promoting Catholic-Muslim dialogue

Sviatoslav Shevchuk with the Grand Mufti of Ukraine. Photo: UGCC

During a meeting in Kyiv, UGCC head Sviatoslav Shevchuk thanked Grand Mufti of Ukraine Ahmed Tamim for his contribution to promoting dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Muslim community. The two religious leaders also addressed the challenges posed by the war and their joint work within the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO).

Shevchuk and Tamim devoted particular attention to the Document on Human Fraternity, previously signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb. The UGCC head praised the mufti’s involvement in preparing the document. Shevchuk said religious leaders have a responsibility to prevent religion from being turned into a tool of political or geopolitical struggles.

Ahmed Tamim outlined the priorities of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine, including fostering patriotism among national minorities and preventing religious extremism. The mufti stressed that his organization is actively working to counter the spread of doctrines that pose a threat to the state under the guise of Islam.

Shevchuk also thanked the mufti for defending Ukraine’s interests during his 2023 visit to the Vatican. He said the presence of a Muslim leader alongside representatives of other faiths is always a sign of unity within Ukrainian society and expressed a desire to deepen their cooperation. At the end of the meeting, the UGCC head presented the mufti with a commemorative medal created to mark the 20th anniversary of the transfer of the UGCC’s see to Kyiv.

As the UOJ reported, Dumenko earlier discussed cooperation with Islamic countries with the mufti.

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