Religious tolerance in UAE is a "model" for the region: Vicar of St Andrew's Church in Abu Dhabi tells British Parliament

Abu Dhabi, 7th November, 2015 (WAM) -- The Vicar of St Andrew's Church in Abu Dhabi, Canon Andy Thompson, returned to the UAE yesterday, the 6th of November, after a five-day visit to the United Kingdom which he made at the invitation of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in London. During the visit, Mr Thompson spoke at the British Parliament and at Farm Street Church in London about the tradition of religious tolerance in the United Arab Emirates, describing it as a "model" for the region. In these talks and in his meetings with over twenty members of the British Parliament, he also addressed misperceptions about the Islamic religion, explaining the difference between moderate and extremist versions of Islam. Canon Thompson also visited Lambeth Palace, headquarters of the head of the Anglican Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, together with diplomats from the UAE Embassy. During a dinner held in his honour by the UAE Ambassador, Abdulrahman Ghanem Almutaiwee, CVO, stated that it was a pleasure to host Canon Andy, also saying that "it is a source of great pride that in my country we are tolerant of those of a different faith and provide them with the freedom to practice their religion." Canon Thompson has lived for over 25 years in the Gulf region, most of which he has spent in the UAE. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395287687572.html