Plaid MEP Jill Evans met the Grand Mufti of Syria Dr Ahmad Badr El Din El Hassoun at the European Parliament in Strasbourg (16.1.08). She delivered a message on behalf of Cytun, the organisation of Welsh churches. Jill had been due to meet Dr Hassoun during a visit to the Middle East last year but was unable to travel to Damascus. The Grand Mufti was in Strasbourg to address the European Parliament as part of a programme of visits by senior figures as part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

The message reads:

"In the Name of the Merciful God, CYTUN, Churches Together in Wales, sends its greetings and good wishes to one whom it regards as a friend and brother. We remember with gratitude the great honour which His Excellency bestowed upon our delegation in March 2006 when he brought us into his meeting with His Excellency, the Grand Mufti of Egypt and many important colleagues. We look forward to being able to meet with him and cooperate together in the future.

We pray that God will Bless his endeavours for peace and understanding, make his visit truly worthwhile and smile upon the people of Syria."

Christopher Gillham (Chair, The International Forum of CYTUN)