President Stevo Pendarovski held a meeting Thursday with the heads and representatives of the religious communities in the country for talks on the coming Easter and Ramadan holidays during which the faithful will be urged to celebrate responsibility in religious temples.
President Pendarovski at the meeting pointed out the importance of the role of the heads of religious communities, both in fostering coexistence, which is an important precondition for the prosperity and progress of the country, and the importance of their actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, his office said.
“The leaders and representatives of the religious communities appealed to the believers for careful and responsible behavior, serious and unconditional observance of the measures and recommendations of the health authorities, in order to protect themselves and those who decide to visit the temples during the holidays, as well as the need to vaccinate citizens,” stated the press release.
The Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric, H.H. Stefan, the Head of the Islamic Religious Community, Reis-ul-Ulema h.hfz. Shaqir ef. Fetahu, the Bishop of Skopje and Bishop of Skopje and Strumica, Kiro Stojanov, the Superintendent of the Evangelical Methodist Church, Marjan Dimov, as well as Darijan Sotirovski, Director of the Commission for Relations with Religious Communities and Groups, were in attendance.
Furthermore, President Pendarovski called on all citizens to behave responsibly and conscientiously during the celebration of the upcoming religious holidays.
At the meeting, the position was reaffirmed that coexistence and respect for diversity are fundamental values of the Republic of North Macedonia, stated the press release.
