The UAE’s Efforts to Bring People of Different Faiths Together
Home to people of so many other different backgrounds, the United Arab Emirates is a country that allows people to accept and include one another. Since its formation as a country in 1971, the UAE has welcomed people from 200 different countries. They belong to different faiths and can go to any place to practice their faith.
A Special Meeting During Ramadan
- UAE government and cultural dignitaries met virtually with religious leaders of the UAE and United States. They discussed how faith and community had helped in the tough time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- This online consultation had just been convened ahead of a day of prayer that the world’s influential religious leaders as well as the UN Secretary-General had supported.
Covid 19 Impact
People cannot assemble to pray in large groups, but in the UAE, they find newer ways of practicing their religion. For example, during the most important month for Muslims-Ramadan-people use technology in conveying their feelings and sharing iftars online.
The Abrahamic Family House: A Place for All Faiths
The UAE is building a unique place to be called the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. In one area, it will have a church, a mosque, and a synagogue. This was conceived after Pope Francis’ visit to the UAE in February 2019. That place where the Abrahamic Family House is going to be built is a place where one can learn and teach many religions, facilitate dialogue, and pray in one location.
The buildings are of the same height but will differ inside each one, and there will also be a museum and place for education. It was designed by famous architect Sir David Adjaye.
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Pope Francis Visits the UAE
In February of 2019, Pope Francis visited the UAE. This was a historic occasion because a pope had never made a visit to the Arabian Peninsula, which marked the origin of the religion of Islam. On his visit:
– He held meetings with top UAE leaders
– He addressed Muslim leaders at one of the biggest mosques in the world
– He signed a historic peace accord with a top Muslim leader
– Had church service for 180,000 people
Indeed, there are many Catholic churches around UAE. Actually, the very first one held its first service in 1960, long before the existence of such a country as United Arab Emirates. Today, nearly one million Catholics reside within UAE.
The UAE Welcoming All Faiths
The UAE is an example of a new life in the Middle East. The most important things are: they support the moderate Islam, give equal opportunities to women, welcome all human beings regardless of their backgrounds, and cooperate with other countries. So, many people with various backgrounds live there.
There exist about 40 churches in the UAE, besides temples for Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists. They even built the biggest Anglican church in the region in Abu Dhabi. In 2017, they even named a mosque to “Mary, Mother of Jesus” in order to make both Christians and Muslims understand each other better.
