ROC President Ma Ying-jeou thanked Protestant leaders Dec. 6 for their churches’ long-term efforts to improve social welfare in Taiwan, while Vice President Vincent C. Siew commended members of the 2011 Taiwan hajj delegation on their completion of the Muslim pilgrimage.
“Christianity is a religion disseminating Jesus’ love for all humanity,” Ma said. “It teaches people to be moral and engage in charitable works.”
The president noted the examples of World Vision Taiwan and the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families adopting needy orphans, and church members devoting themselves to care of the elderly, inmates and drug addicts in rehabilitation programs.
“Protestants were also very active in relief efforts following the major earthquake of Sept. 21, 1999, and Typhoon Morakot in 2009,” Ma said.
According to Ma, to show gratitude for foreign missionaries, the Ministry of the Interior has launched the Mackay Program, an initiative providing old-age benefits to foreign residents over the age of 65 who have worked in Taiwan for 20 years and made significant contributions to the country. These benefits now include long-term health care, he added.
Church representatives meeting with Ma at the Presidential Office included Cheng Kuei-ying, an elder of the Nuannuan Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Chu Tai-shen of Glory Church and Wu Chi, an elder with The Gideons International of the ROC.
The Muslim delegation received by Siew was headed by Chu Yun-ching, former chairman of the Taipei-based Chinese Muslim Association.
“Islam is one of the most influential religions in the world, with 1.7 billion followers,” Siew said. “Its core doctrines of respecting God, helping the poor, doing good and preventing evil, and practicing respect and tolerance are very important in today’s society, and have made indelible contributions to civilization.”
According to Siew, King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia insisted on the stable supply of petroleum to Taiwan during the oil crisis in 1973. “Saudia Arabia also helped Taiwan greatly by providing interest-free loans to help complete the Ten Major Construction Projects,” he added.
“The caring and peace-loving spirit of Islam is an important asset for all mankind,” Siew said. “We should not forget our deep friendship with the Muslim world.” (THN)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw