Coptic Church hails UAE's adoption of moderate Islam under Khalifa's leadership

Abu Dhabi, May 6, 2013 (WAM) - The Coptic Orthodox Church has hailed UAE's commitment under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the policy and concept of moderate Islam in order to establish the principals of brotherhood, moderation and peaceful coexistence among different religions. This came during the Easter celebrations of the Coptic Church in Abu Dhabi last night, in the presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Mohammed bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Advisor Ali Al Hashimi, Judicial and Religious Affairs Advisor at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Tamer Mansour, Egyptian Ambassador to UAE, other officials and Islamic Scholars. A number of members of Christian sects, businesspeople, staff of the Egyptian Embassy, the Egyptian Women's Association, as well as a number of the Egyptian Muslim and Coptic Community attended the event. Ishaq Al Anba Bishoy, pastor of Al Anba Antonio Cathedral Church in Abu Dhabi, in his sermon, extended thanks and gratitude on behalf of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who assigned the UAE ambassador to Cairo to offer condolences to Pope Tawadros II on the death of victims of violence in Al Khosos Area and the Cathedral in Cairo. The Pastor also highlighted on behalf of the Coptic Church, the approach of the UAE under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces to enhance the policy of religious tolerance and moderation of Islam which calls for respect for all religions, and the opening up channels of dialogue among all cultures and civilisations. He also lauded the naming of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Dr Ahmed A-Tayyib, as the Cultural Personality of the Year by the organising committee of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, 2013. For his part, Ambassador Mansour conveyed the greetings of the Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi to Egyptian Copts abroad at Easter. He also extended thanks and appreciation to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for their strong policy to consolidate Arab relations. - Emirates News Agency, WAM