His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi declared that this historic visit sends a message tothe whole world that the Arab region comprises millions of people who believe in coexistence and dialogue and who are open up to the world and willing to engage with it.
As part of the visit yesterday Pope Francis, visited the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, with the Grand Imam of Al A Azhar, Dr Ahmad Al Tayeb. This visit marks another step in the country’s long history of encouraging multi-faith and intercultural dialogue. The visit, during the UAE’s Year of Tolerance, marks the first time a Catholic Pope has ever visited the UAE and that has undertaken an official visit alongside a Muslim religious figure as significant as the Grand Imam and a Holy High Mass is held today at the Zayed Sports City Stadium with 135,000 Roman Catholics.
Moreover the visit was part of the official programme for the visit by the Pope and the Grand Imam as they both participate in the Human Fraternity Meeting that coincides with the Global Conference on Human Fraternity.
SOURCE: www.gulfnews.com