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Earlier this week, Pope Francis made a historic trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the hopes of reconciling Christian-Muslim relations in the region.
After landing in Abu Dhabi, he was greeted by Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
Francis’ visit marks the first-ever papal trip to the Arabian Peninsula.
In a statement made at the Vatican, Francis expressed his concern about the humanitarian crisis and ongoing war in Yemen, in which the UAE is engaged as part of a Saudi-led coalition.
“The population [in Yemen] is exhausted by the lengthy conflict and a great many children are suffering from hunger, but cannot access food depots,” the pope said. “The cry of these children and their parents rises up to God.”
While in Abu Dhabi, Francis is partaking in an interfaith conference held by the Muslim Council of Elders, an initiative that seeks to counter religious extremism and endorse a moderate brand of Islam. The campaign is headed by Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar. This is considered to be the highest seat for Sunni Islam learning in the world.
In a statement made Saturday, Feb. 2 Al-Azhar described the relationship between its imam and the pope as “deeply fraternal.”
The conference celebrates the UAE’s “Year of Tolerance,” a movement to demonstrate openness and acceptance of other faiths in a region known for enacting severe restrictions against religions other than Islam.
Francis and el-Tayeb addressed the “Human Fraternity Meeting” Monday, Feb. 4 drawing representatives from several religious backgrounds including Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian leaders.
Many are excited to see such a discussion happening in the Muslim world about interreligious dialogue.
The Middle East is experiencing a grand departure of Christians from the region. Most are fleeing religious persecution at the hands of the Islamic State and other groups.
The UAE is home to a diverse and thriving Catholic community. The Catholic Church believes there are around 1 million Catholics living in the UAE, most of whom are of Indian or Filipino descent.
Tuesday, Feb. 5 Francis held Mass at what is being called the largest display of public Christian worship on the Arabian Peninsula.
Unlike other foreign trips Francis has made before, his intent in the UAE was not to make a political speech, but rather to address issues of religious freedom and ideals of fraternity.
Many aid groups still expressed their desire for Francis to appeal for the cease-fire in Yemen to hold and articulate the dire need for humanitarian aid to be able to reach those impacted by the war.
While the UAE’s expression of religious tolerance and the freedom to worship is admirable, true religious freedom has yet to be reached.
Crosses may only be displayed on the inside of churches. Muslims are banned from converting to another religion.
“Nobody’s perfect in this world … ,” UAE’s Minister of Tolerance, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan told The Associated Press. “We’re proud of our acceptance, tolerance, respect for human dignity, having laws which protect everybody’s right.”
