Abu Dhabi: The visit of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to the Vatican and his meeting with Pope Francis is a historic milestone in the UAE’s abiding commitment to interfaith harmony and tolerance among people. The visit is yet another reaffirmation by the UAE of how it promotes values of peace, harmony and cohesiveness in its social fabric, strengthening its role model stature on the global stage.
Gulf News speaks with Emiratis and expatriates for their views on this visit’s importance and significance.
Nadia Szczesiak, South African expatriate trainer, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has done a wonderful job of creating a space where people from different faiths can practise their beliefs. I feel that the church communities are actually stronger here than in South Africa. People here in communities help one another regardless of their faiths. That’s something that is unique and special to Abu Dhabi and we are so appreciative that we are able to practise our faith. Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed’s visit will enhance this togetherness further.
Obed Espada, American expatriate, Abu Dhabi
I think Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed’s visit to [meet] the Pope is a beautiful event and it will definitely further promote harmony among people and hopefully bring people together more. For me, one of the biggest pluses about living here (Abu Dhabi) has been the church community. We have a very close-knit [community] and at the same time, we are integrated with so many other cultures and faiths.
Ali Al Suwaidi, Emirati, board member of Middle East Facility Management Association, Dubai
The UAE has always had a positive relation with all religions. People from different religions are enjoying their freedom of worship with their families here. We have churches and mosques and temples and everyone can follow their faith. This kind of high-level leadership visit will help communicate better with different countries and cultures. The UAE has always proven that this is a place for harmony and collaboration of different cultures and faiths. This visit will reaffirm that.
Surender Singh Kandhari, Indian, chairman of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara, Dubai
Shaikh Mohammad’s meeting with the Pope is a milestone achievement for the UAE government. It shows the exemplary attitude of the UAE towards religious tolerance and interfaith harmony. It will go a long way in bridging the gaps and helping improve interfaith dialogues. We as the Sikh community also feel very encouraged by the government’s step in appreciation of other religions. If the Pope visits the UAE in return, it will be the epitome of interfaith harmony. As an Islamic country, the UAE will set an example for others in the region in welcoming the head of the Catholic faith. That will also encourage others to go in this direction.
Girish Pant, Indian, chief accountant and social worker, Dubai
I would say this is a new chapter in interfaith harmony in the UAE. This is a message to the people who fight in the name of religion. Humanity is the universal religion and if you respect that, you can respect any religion or faith. That is what the UAE is proving to the world. They accept everyone on the same platform regardless of their religion, country and colour. We, the members of the Hindu community, are able to host our religious events in the UAE, all thanks to the support from the government. There are hundreds of thousands of Christians living in the UAE and a high-level meeting with the Pope is a great gesture from the government. I am sure the Pope will return this gesture and create history by visiting the UAE in the near future.
Emolyn Bucsit, 60, Filipina expatriate nurse
The initiative from the UAE leaders to visit the Pope is a good one, which makes all of us very happy. As for the proposed papal visit, everybody is excited and looking forward for this proposal to materialise. We hope it would come true as soon as possible. The bottom-line is we have to respect each other’s faith. If we respect each other, then there will be no issues. All of us, regardless of religion, are brothers and sisters. We are one.
Abdul Aziz Al Musallam, Emirati, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage
I think the official visit to the Vatican is a great opportunity for these two big religions, Christianity and Islam, to understand each other better. Our government always wants to show that we are living in a reality where we have mosques, churches, we have everything in our country. Going to the Vatican is an important avenue to pass this message to the world that the leaders of the emirates believe in what they do and that we are all brothers.
I think a papal visit to the UAE is a great idea. This peaceful coexistence that we have with peoples of other faith is not new. We have had this from 19th century. We peacefully coexisted because we treated each other with respect.
