Joint appeal from the Government, MOC-OA, IRC and the Catholic Church, all citizens to respect the adopted measures in order to protect health

The Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev, accompanied by the Director of the Commission for Relations with Religious Communities and Groups, Darijan Sotirovski, met with the Heads of religious communities in the country mentioned in the Constitution –of the Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archbishopric, Archbishop of Ohrid and Mr. Mr. Stefan, of the Islamic Religious Community, Reis ul Ulema Haji hfz. Shakir Efendi Fetai and Monsignor Kiro Stojanov, Bishop of Skopje and Bishop of Strumica-Skopje, Catholic church.

The meeting discussed measures to deal with the pandemic, as well as other current issues of importance to religious communities and the state.

It was concluded that a joint appeal  of the Government and the MOC-OA, the IRC and the Catholic Church would be sent  to all citizens, to respect the measures adopted by the Government.

Also, the support of all religious communities for the vaccination process is expressed and a joint call is sent to all citizens to apply for vaccination, which will contribute to the preservation of their health and public health.

The religious leaders present at the meeting pointed out that the protection of health is not only an obligation of the state, but also a religious obligation because every person is obliged, both socially and according to religion, to be in the service of health.

It is commonly concluded that in these moments when humanity is facing an unpredictable virus, common sense is needed by all believers, because the disease does not choose religions and nations.

At the meeting it was jointly assessed that the observance of the measures will depend on how the citizens will spend the upcoming holidays: Easter and Ramadan Bajram, and it is clear that everyone has a desire to celebrate the great religious holidays in peace and tranquility and together with loved ones in family.

Prime Minister Zaev expressed gratitude to the religious leaders for the need to stand together in dealing with the consequences of the pandemic, which benefits all people. He announced meetings with representatives of other religious communities in the country.

The meeting also discussed issues in the field of denationalization of property and education and it was decided to have additional contacts for these issues, in order to complete the solutions in the interest of the state and the religious communities and citizens.

Representatives of religious communities present at today's meeting expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Zaev for the openness for talks and cooperation, whenever necessary.