Asmara, 5 January 2008 – Eritrean religious leaders informed the visiting Mr. Donald Payne, Member of the House of Representatives in the US Congress, that Eritrea is a country where all where all religions coexist in harmony.
In a meeting with the US Congressman, the Eritrean Mufti, Sheik Al-Amin Osman, explained that Eritrea is a nation in which the Islamic and Christian faiths have been and are still coexisting in harmony for ages. Indicating that colonialists had left no stone unturned to divide the Eritrean people along religious lines right from the ancient times, Sheik Al-Amin stated that such futile attempts ended in utter failure thanks to the Eritrean people’s firm unity.
Similarly, His Holiness Abune Dioskoros, 4th Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, explained that in view of the Eritrean people’s firm adherence to their religious faith, there exists no problem, and hence live in peace and harmony.
Also outlining the historical introduction of the Christian faith to Eritrea, Abune Mengisteab Tesfamariam, Bishop of the Eritrean Catholic Church, pointed out that no problem exists in Eritrea as regards religious faith and that the Eritrean Catholic Church carries out educational and health activities in collaboration with the government.
Both the Reverend Simon Gebremeskel, Vice President of the Eritrean Evangelical Church, and the Reverend Fissehaye Estifanos, Secretary General of the same church, also asserted: “We enjoy religious freedom” and as such, followers of the Evangelical Church coexist in harmony with followers of the other faiths.
Meanwhile, Congressman Donald Payne met and held talks with Foreign Minister Osman Saleh on regional issues. Besides, he visited the Orotta School of Medicine and observed its activities. The Congressman also held discussions with the 4th and 5th year students of the School.
Following these meetings, Mr. Donald Payne told ERINA that he was impressed with the achievements Eritrea has registered in the health sector in general and in reducing child mortality rate, as well as prevention of malaria infection in particular.
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