ABU DHABI // The decision to rename an Abu Dhabi mosque in honour of Mary, Mother of Jesus is testimony to what unites Christians and Muslims, a UAE minister has said.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, had renamed the mosque last Wednesday on the 19th day of Ramadan.
“It offers a message that we hope the followers of both faiths will take to heart, recognising that we share much in the way of common values and a common commitment to humanity,” said Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, in an opinion article on International Catholic News, a British website.
The decision shows the country’s commitment to principles of religious tolerance and inter-faith dialogue, Sheikha Lubna wrote, according to Wam, the state news agency. The mosque is located next to Catholic, Anglican and Coptic Orthodox churches.
“Though we are a Muslim-majority country, we now have over 40 churches, catering to hundreds of thousands of believers of many different Christian denominations, along with Sikh and Hindu places of worship,” Sheikha Lubna wrote.
“We take pride in that diversity, which encompasses the 200 or so nationalities that live in our country, and also in the evidence of our own ancient Christian heritage 1,400 years ago.”
The choice of name is “of huge significance” as the Virgin Mary and Jesus, known in Arabic as Maryam and Issa, are not only at “the very heart” in Christianity, but also in Islam.
“At a time when there are those who seek to pit believers of one faith against the other, it is testimony to what unites us,” Sheikha Lubna said.
“It offers a message that we hope the followers of both faiths will take to heart, recognising that we share much in the way of common values and a common commitment to humanity.”
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