Pope's visit reels in a global conference for human fraternity

'Listening to the voice of reason and wisdom'

The historic inaugural visit of Pope Francis to the UAE from February 3 to 5 coincides with the gathering of prominent religious leaders and intellectuals from around the globe at the two-day Global Conference of Human Fraternity being held in Abu Dhabi on February 3 and 4 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The event, being held during the Year of Tolerance that is being observed in the UAE in 2019, is in conjunction with the inaugural visit of Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar to the country.

The historic event validates the UAE's approach and continued efforts to be a global hub for tolerance and fraternity by encouraging the international community to reject violence and hatred in all forms and in relation to ethnic or ideological differences.

"The Global Conference of Human Fraternity will serve as an intellectual forum to enable us to listen to the voice of reason and wisdom in human interactions regardless of one's race and religious identity," said Dr Sultan Faisal Al Remeithi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders. "It will also reinforce the concepts of citizenship and peaceful co-existence among communities."

According to him, the conference will highlight the importance of tolerance as the basis of dialogue and acceptance among diverse communities to achieve the common aspirations of mankind "with dignity and compassion."

The conference, titled 'Principles of Human Fraternity,' will include knowledge sessions focusing on a broad spectrum of themes. These are:
. Promoting a culture of peace in areas of violence, and ideological and ethnic extremism
. Reinforcing the overarching concept of citizenship that places nation above all else
. Ways to confront religious extremism that threatens the very existence of many societies
. Common responsibility for achieving human fraternity
. Role of religious, educational, cultural and media organisations to promote fraternity
. Human fraternity: Challenges and opportunities

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE's Minister of Tolerance, noted recently (see Khaleej Times: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/editorials-columns/popes-visit-will-inspire-us-to-be-more-tolerant) that over 100,000 communicants are expected to attend the Holy Mass in Abu Dhabi on February 5, when Pope Francis will be there.

"We Muslims recognise the importance of the impending visit by Pope Francis," said the minister. "He is signalling that tolerance, compassion, and dialogue enable understanding and peace. He is appreciating Christians who are engaging Muslims and people of other faiths."

Pope Francis admires the beauty of a peaceful global community comprising people from some 200 countries, added Sheikh Nahyan. "He is joining us all in praising our creator for making each of us unique and bridging our differences with universal values."

According to him, the UAE has had a Roman Catholic Bishop since 1974. "St. Joseph's Cathedral is the seat of the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, Bishop Paul Hinder," he noted. "St. Joseph's was established nine years earlier, six years before the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan united the seven emirates as a nation in 1971. Over one million Christians (about one-ninth of the current UAE population) live and work in our country."

Bishop Paul Hinder, OFM Cap (the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an order of friars within the Catholic Church), and Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia (UAE, Oman, Yemen) expresses happiness and is grateful that Pope Francis accepted the invitation of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to participate in the International Interfaith meeting on Human Fraternity.

Pope Francis, who leaves Rome on Sunday, will arrive at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport later that night. On Monday, he has a busy programme schedule, with a welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace, followed by his official visit to the Crown Prince.

He will also have a private meeting with members of the Muslim Council of Elders at the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zayed. The inter-religious meeting will be held at the Founder's Memorial.

On February 5, after a private visit to the St. Joseph's Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, the Pope will be at the Holy Mass at the Zayed Sports City and then attend a farewell ceremony at the Abu Dhabi Presidential airport before heading to Rome.

"The generosity of the UAE government has also been extended in making it possible to celebrate a Mass, which will be on February 5 at a public venue in Abu Dhabi," said Bishop Hinder. "These are warm and kind gestures that we appreciate and acknowledge."  
He said his team is working closely with the government to make the visit go smoothly and according to plan. "We welcome Pope Francis with open hearts and pray with Saint Francis of Assisi: 'Make me a channel of your peace!'" he said. "May the visit be an important step in the dialogue between Muslims and Christians and contribute to mutual understanding and peace-making in the Middle East."

'Dialogue between the East and the West'

The Muslim Council of Elders has a major initiative, 'Dialogue between the East and the West,' through which it aims "to open its doors to others, and strengthening the cooperation between all humans regardless of their race or belief, in an attempt to seek remedies for extremism, violence, and terrorism and helping one another in righteousness, piety, and peaceful coexistence and promoting the culture of peace throughout the world."

The initiative also "aims at halting the violations of soul, honour, and money in addition to prioritising the highest human and national interests against personal interests."

The 'Dialogue between the East and the West' comes within the framework of the efforts aimed at achieving those goals through periodic meetings with the world's major religious institutions discussing four major points:

. Religious pluralism and freedom of belief
. Initiatives and experiences in peaceful coexistence and tolerance
. Role of religions in supporting citizenship and consolidating human principles
. Obstacles to the dialogue and coexistence, and possible solutions

- nithin@khaleejtimes.com

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