ASIA/UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Minister of Culture to Christians in Abu Dhabi: "We have learned a lot from you"

Abu Dhabi (Agenzia Fides) - Sheikh Nayan bin Mubarak al Nayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development of the UAE, spoke at the ceremony organized on the occasion of the completion of the restoration of the Anglican Church of St. Andrew, in Abu Dhabi. During his speech, inside the church, the Minister praised the policy of the Emirates, presenting it as inspiration for tolerance and respect for religions. "The leadership of the UAE" said the Minister, "firmly believes in tolerance and respect for different religious identities" as the basis of peaceful coexistence, to create a society in which "all people have equal opportunities to realize their potential as human beings".
The Minister reiterated that the presence in the United Arab Emirates of various faith communities that live in harmony, celebrating their liturgies and religious practices in mosques, churches and other places of worship, can be considered not as a threat to social stability, but instead as an opportunity for mutual cultural enrichment. "We have welcomed you in our Country, and we have learned a lot from you", said Minister al Nayan. The UAE is home to about 900 thousand Catholics. The Catholic community is made up of immigrant workers who are mostly from other Asian countries. On 12 June, the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin had presided over the rites of consecration and dedication of the new Catholic church dedicated to St. Paul, built in Mussaffah on a land provided by the municipality of Abu Dhabi (see Fides 12/06/2015). (GV) (Agenzia Fides 15/10/2015)

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