In the name of God

May 5, 2005

Dear Pope Benedict XVI

As a Kurdish spiritual and political leader struggling for Kurdish people rights, I would like to welcome your election as Pope Benedict XVI. I am confident that you will continue the noble and deeply humanistic mission of your predecessor John Paul II.

I had a close contact with the late pope John Paul II. He gained Muslims respect through his unprecedented efforts to promote dialogue between the Catholic Church and Muslim spiritual leaders, his unfailing support for the rights of the Kurdish people. He made history during the trip by being the first pope to visit a mosque. His death united Christians and Muslims, in sadness.

The processes of Globalization, the spread of the international organized terrorism, the imbalance in the global environment and other problems make it incumbent on statesmen and politicians, spiritual and public leaders, and the entire global community to find immediate and effective ways to overcome the difficulties and follow the true path to the future.

I am confident that the Holy See, headed by you, as an institution respected throughout the world, together with other religious communities, will continue to play an extremely important role in resolving these problems and uniting the nations of the world in their struggle for peace, prosperity and justice for suppressed nations as our civilization develops further.

Once again my best congratulations to your election, I am looking forward to continuing co-operation with the Holy See on the issue of Kurdish people.

Best wishes

Sheikh Ezzadin Hosseini

Sweden