They have this sort of thing instead of news in Syria...
President Bashar al-Assad received yesterday morning at al-Shaab (people) Palace His Royal Highness Prince Carlo of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, the Grand Master and the Grand Prefect and Heir Apparent of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies; Her Royal Highness Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Calabria; and His Excellency Mr. Anthony Baily, St. George's Order's Delegate for Relations with Foreign States. Following the meeting, the President was bestowed the orders of highest honour, the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Francisco I, and the Benemerenti Gold Medal of the Constantinian Order, in recognition of the important and vital work which His Excellency and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic have undertaken in relation to the promotion of greater understanding, dialogue and peaceful co-existence between the followers of all faiths in Syria.
| That's so he can look spiffy when he puts on his uniform and his tin hat... |
The Grand Magistry of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George indicated that President Bashar al-Assad has become the first Muslim Head of State to be recognized by the Order for his contribution to interreligious dialogue and understanding by a Catholic Institution. Then, the President bestowed on His Royal Highness Prince Carlo of Bourbon and Mr. Anthony Baily the Syrian Order of Merit, First Class.
| "Golly! A medal! Pretty neat! Here, prince. You try one of ours!" |
On the occasion, the President delivered a speech in which he expressed his happiness for being between the highest Catholic order, and bestowing on His Royal Highness Prince Carlo and Mr. Baily the Syrian national orders, in appreciation of their efforts in the area of dialogue and understanding between faiths. The President also expressed his happiness that the order he was bestowed came with the blessing of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, whose positions are appreciated especially towards major world issues. The President pointed out that the importance of this occasion lies in the fact that it expresses a common vision of many great human values which have embodied in the teachings of Islam and Christianity. This common vision confirms that these values didn't disappear, but rather they are strengthening day by day in the world. It also gives evidence of the falsity of the notion of the clash of civilizations. It tells that there is dialogue between civilizations. |