Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cologne (Fides Service) - Best wishes for a speedy recovery were sent via Fides to Pope John Paul II by the Union of the Turkish Islamic Office for Religions (Diyanet Isleri Türk Islam Birligi, DITIB) which has its head offices in the German city of Cologne. The message, signed by the chairman of the organisation Ridvan Cakir, was as follows “Having learned of Pope John Paul II’s admission to hospital we wish to express our sympathy to His Holiness and offer him best wishes for a speedy recovery. May All Merciful God bless him and restore his health ”.
The DITIB is the largest organisation of Turkish Muslims in Germany. It was instituted in 1984 in view of the rapid growth of Turks in Germany, and it is the official representative in Germany of Turkey’s national Religious Affairs Bureau. The DITIB is committed to promoting contact with German authorities and society, as well as inter-religious dialogue consisting of initiatives such as prayers for peace and other inter-religious and intercultural events. (MS) (Agenzia Fides, 9/3/2005 - 15 righe, 180 parole)
