Ecumenical Patriarch to the Crimean Tatar leader: “In Crimea the situation is complicated, we know it and pray for the Muslims who live there”

Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, MP of Ukraine Refat Chubarov, together with President of Petro Poroshenko attended Istanbul residence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. On his Facebook page, he reported onthe course of the meeting of the Ukrainian delegation with Patriarch Bartholomew.

First, according to the Mejlis Chairman, the Ecumenical Patriarch shook hands with everyone.

“When my turn came, I introduced myself:“Efendım, ben Kırım'dan, kırımtatarım, adımRafet” (“Dear Sir, I am from the Crimea, I am a Crimean Tatar, my name is Refat”).

The Patriarch replied: “Çokmemnunüm. Hoşgeldiniz! (Very nice. You are welcome!),”said Refat Chubarov.

After the meeting, Patriarch Bartholomew I came up to every member of the Ukrainian delegation, and personally handed souvenirs and crosses, placed in a box.

“On approaching me he asked:“Müslümanmısınız? (Are you Muslim?).”

I answered: “Evet, ben Müslümanım. Alhamdulillah! (Yes, I am a Muslim. Praise be to Allah!)”

The Patriarch, having gently detainedthe assistant’s hand, held out to me a box with a cross for the service, I smiled: “O zamanbunaihtiyacınızyok” (Then, you do not need it) and gave me only souvenirs,” Chubarov said.

 “... Saying goodbye to the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and delegation members on the stairs of his residence, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I shook hands with me and told me:“Kırım'da durum karmaşık, biz biliyoruz. Orada'kımüslümankardeşlerimiziçinduaedıyuoruz!” (“In Crimea the situation is complicated, we know that. We pray for our brothers Muslims who live there.”

I was moved: “Efendım, ben kesinlikleselamlyarınızıvetürsözlerınızıKırımda'kımüslümanlarabıldırecem” (Dear Sir, I will convey your greetings and kind words to the Muslims of Crimea),”said the Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people.