ALEXANDROUPOLIS – Four Metropolitans and three Muftis of Greece’s northeastern region of Thrace signed a Declaration Against Domestic Violence. The signing took place at the Anthimeio Cultural Center in Alexandroupolis on November 28.

Specifically, the declaration was signed following the conference on domestic violence and violence against women organized in Alexandroupolis last year with representatives of the Christian and Muslim religions participating.

All speakers expressed concern about the widespread and growing phenomenon of domestic violence in Greece in recent years.

His Eminence Metropolitan Anthimos of Alexandroupolis expressed also the view that “the problem of women in men’s society is unsolved” and cited quotas for women as an example, which still apply to certain positions simply because they are women, emphasizing the discrimination that continues to exist in the Greek society.

His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Xanthi said that “Thrace is a model of peaceful coexistence of Christians and Muslims,” adding that an additional message of the signing ceremony was that they can coexist when they respect each other.

His Eminence Metropolitan Athinagoras of Ilion added that the conclusion of the meetings was that religion can offer no justification for that kind of violence.

His Eminence Metropolitan Damaskinos of Didymoteicho said that “religion unites people with God and their neighbor, enabling us to deal with any problem together.”

His Eminince Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maroneia described the region of Thrace as a “university of life,” where everyone would be accepted in order to learn from the way they live together.

The Mufti of Didymoteicho, Osman Hamza, spoke about domestic violence as a very serious problem, which, unfortunately, he said, nowadays, instead of diminishing, was becoming an increasingly serious issue.

The Mufti of Komotini, Khalil Jihaz, stated that he was proud to sign the declaration, saying that the harmonious and peaceful coexistence of Christians and Muslims “here on the edge of Europe” was a model to be followed.