Syriac Universal Alliance in Syria — August 2009 (Pt. 2)

In a monumental step for the Syriac Universal Alliance (SUA), HH the Patriarch Zakka Iwas, recognized the SUA as an organizational partner with its beloved Syriac Orthodox Church. Such recognition was received after the SUA, led by both Mr. Johny Messo, President of the SUA,and Mr. Daniel Gabriel, Human Rights and United Nations NGO Director, met HH at the St. Ephrem Monastery in Ma’arat Saydnaya, Damascus, during several meetings from 15 to 20 August, 2009. Both Mr. Messo and Mr. Gabriel were joined on the trip by Melki Toprak from the Aramean Federation of Switzerland, and Maya Mourad from the Syrian Arab News Agency and Suryoyo Sat, the international Aramaic satellite channel established for and by the Aramean people. The SUA is most grateful to Ms. Mourad for this short documentary (13 min.). During the official visit to Syria, the SUA Delegation also held several meetings with Senior Syrian Government Officials. On Saturday August 15, 2009, the SUA arrived to the St. Ephrem Monastery in Ma’arat Saydnaya, Damascus, where they began meetings with HH the Partiarch. During the week, the SUA also met with Dr. Mohsen Bilal, Syria’s Minister of Information, Dr. Riyad Nassan Agha, Syria’s Minister of Culture and the Grand Mufti of Syria, Dr. Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassoun. Visit the official website of the SUA for more information on this unique Aramaic-speaking NGO which has a special consultative status at the United Nations where it serves, protects and promotes the interests …