Istanbul to host "Arab Spring and Peace in New Middle East" international conference

ANKARA (AA) - September 5, 2012 - An international conference titled "The Arab Spring and Peace in the New Middle East: Muslim and Christian Perspectives" will be held in Istanbul between September 7 and 8.

The conference is organized by Turkish Religious Foundation, Centre for Islamic Studies and Marmara University Middle East Research Institution.
Nearly 200 religious officials and opinion leaders from 23 countries, including Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Vatican will discuss transformation process in Mideast and North Africa.
Mehmet Gormez, the head of the Directorate of Religious Affairs, former Lebanese president Amine Pierre Gemayel, Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will deliver opening speeches on the first day of the conference.