Ambassador: Pope Francis' visit to United Arab Emirates is new page in history

Baku. 4 February. REPORT.AZ/ "The United Arab Emirates is a conspicuous example for the tolerance, harmony, respect and acceptance of the other. This view is rooted in the Islamic religion, the noble Arab customs and traditions, and the heritage of Sheikh Zayed, the founder of the UAE. The contemporary generation persists in strengthening these values and creating frameworks that support its continuity under our wise leadership", said in the article of Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Azerbaijan Mohamed Alqubaisi  titled "Pope Francis' visit to the United Arab Emirates is a new page in histor", Report informs. 

"Today, the UAE is home to 200 different nationalities, more than 40 churches, Sikh and Buddhist temples. It should also be noted that our Government recently established the Ministry of Tolerance, which is a unique body to support UAE model for pluralism and tolerance.

The UAE stands for freedom of worship and interfaith exchange not only in its own territory, but also globally.

And these days, with Pope Francis' visit to the UAE, we are witnessing a strong message to the whole world: Religion aims noble goals, as the true faith has never been about hate.

Pope Francis was invited to the UAE by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. And Pope pays tribute to the UAE as “a land that is trying to be a model of coexistence, of human brotherhood, and a meeting place among diverse civilizations and cultures, where many find a safe place to work and live freely in the respect of diversities.” This visit, as Pope underlines it, confirms that all are brothers despite our differences.

We remember Pope Francis' historic visit to our brotherly country Azerbaijan, where he highly appreciated Azerbaijan for creating a religiously tolerant atmosphere and for cultivating a society that has largely avoided extremism.

Stressing these facts, we once again express our assurance in the importance of interfaith dialogue for the peaceful coexistence all over the world", - the article said.