Tamouz Cup, Symbol Of Friendship With All Faiths: Assyrian MP

Orumiyeh, West Azarbaijan Prov, Aug 4, IRNA – Assyrian Representative to Iranˈs Parliament (Majlis) Yonathan Betkolia said here on Sunday evening that holding Assyriansˈ International Sport-Cultural Festival `Tamouz Cupˈ is a symbol of Iranˈs friendship with various faiths worldwide. Betkolia, also Secretary of the Asian Chapter of the Assyrian Universal Alliance, made the remarks in the opening ceremony of the 4th Tamouz Cup. Some 275 athletes from Iran, Georgia, Russia, Armenia and Denmark will participate in the week-long competitions which is to be held in various fields of chess, volleyball, basketball, football, table tennis and tennis. ˈThe Tamouz Cup proves that all Iranians are living with peace and security,ˈ Betkolia said. He hailed the present state of security in Iran noting, ˈWe are witnessing the most horrible crimes committed by the Zionists and their bullying allies against Muslims and Assyrians in the region including Gaza, Syria and Iraqˈs border regions. ˈToday, the Iraqi Assyrians who lived in that country for 7,000 years along with Muslims are being murdered by the terrorist group of Daesh known as the so-called Islamic State and forced to leave their homes,ˈ the MP complained. He criticized international bodies and the so-called advocates of human rights for turning a blind eye to the large scale suppression and massacre of innocent people, especially women and children, in Gaza. Expressing his concern over the present situation in Gaza Strip, Betkolia regretted that the Zionist regime even shows no mercy for children. Praising the existing security in Iran, he also lauded the peaceful coexistence of various faiths and ethnic minorities in the country./end