His Holiness Pope Shenouda opens by speaking about the shared Ramadan Iftar occasions that spread across governorates and neighborhoods, and he thanks the attendees from leaders, politicians and media professionals.

Message of Love and Meeting

His Holiness affirms that the purpose of these tables is to instill love and affection between Christians and Muslims, and that love is the first virtue in Christianity and is taught by all monotheistic religions.

Love as a Practical and Spiritual Value

He emphasizes that love is not only a feeling but appears in giving, generosity and the sacrifice of self, and that charitable work devoid of love is not counted by God with the same value.

Love and National Unity

His Holiness links love to national unity, saying that true unity is built on agreement in thought, feelings and action, and that spreading love is the responsibility of the family, school, university, media and leaders.

Education and Upbringing in Love

He calls for raising children and youth to love one another in schools and homes, because raising generations on love spares society crimes and assaults and achieves lasting peace.

Love Without Return

He clarifies that true love does not seek reward on earth, and that whoever does good without return will receive doubled reward in heaven; love works from within the soul without external compulsion.

Spiritual Occasions and Fasting

His Holiness blesses the month of fasting as a means of drawing near to God and raising the spirit above matter and the body, and he congratulates the attendees on a blessed fast and joyful Eid al-Fitr.

Conclusion and Messages of Hope

He thanks the speakers and organizers and calls for the continuation of meetings that provide dialogical benefit and bring hearts closer, wishing the country good, peace and the advancement of its people.

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