To all Knights and Dames of Our Sovereign Order and State,

In this period two major Religions celebrate their most sacred festivities, therefore the Magisterial House of the Sovereign Order and of the State of the Federation of Autonomous Priories of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta ( KMFAP ), in full respect for the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights of the United Nations, namely its Articles numbers 1, 2 and 18, and in full respect for all Religions and for the right of each one to follow his Faith, is hereby sending its greetings and a specific message to our Knights of each Faith ( by alphabetical order ):

EASTER FOR THE CHRISTIAN KNIGHTS AND DAMES

In this period when religious fundamentalists from both sides pretend to push Christians and Muslims to a confrontation as enemies, nothing better than to quote the words of the Holy Qur'an ( Coran ) about the crucifixion of that Jewish man called Jesus Christ:

The Holy Qur’an ( Coran ) says,

[4:157] That they said (in boast), “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah”;- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not

[4:158] Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise

[4:159] And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Judgement he will be a witness against them

Sacred words can not be ignored, because in fact, both Muslims and Christians believe that Christ was not killed in the cross, but that He resurrected and will be present in the Day of the Judgement.

This is an important lesson and an example of respect, of tolerance and of bridges between Religions, in these present days of fundamentalism, of economic and moral crisis, of egoism, of intolerance and of disrespect for the most sacred values of Mankind.

The Magisterial House of the Federation expects and sincerely wishes that this lesson will be present in the Easter prayers of all the Christians, while remembering the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the cross, and in the celebrations for His Resurrection. May the example of Christ remain in the hearts of Our Christian Knights and Dames, as a token of brotherhood, tolerance and respect.

PESSACH FOR THE JEWISH KNIGHTS AND DAMES

Since the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, our Jewish Knights and Dames celebrate the Pessach also known as the Passover, a sacred festivity that celebrates the Freedom of the People of Israel from slavery. This is a Celebration of joy for the Freedom and victory of the Human Rights ( the right to be free ), which the Magisterial House of the Federation ( KMFAP ) wishes to extended to all the people in this World who still are not free and who are being subjected to very harsh life conditions and have some of their Human Rights diminished, because all ought to have the same rights.

The Magisterial House of the Federation ( KMFAP ) also wishes to its Jewish Knights and Dames that their unleavened bread, part of the celebrations of this festivity, may be shared with all of those who have no bread, independently of their religion. SHALOM ALEICHEM VE AL KOL ISRAEL .