We are bound by our humanity: Sheikh Mohammad on Pope's visit

Gulf News -- His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has welcomed the visit to the United Arab Emirates by Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, beginning Sunday.

In a statement issued on the eve of the Pope’s visit on Saturday, Shaikh Mohammad said: “We welcome the visit of Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, to the UAE. We, as UAE leadership and people, are looking forward to this historic visit that will contribute to underpinning the values of tolerance, peaceful co-existence, and cultural exchange,” said Shaikh Mohammad BRashid in a statement marking the occasion.

We welcome Pope Francis to the UAE. This historic visit will deepen the values of tolerance, understanding and interfaith dialogue.

We are bound by our humanity, our common values and belief in the future of humankind.

Welcome to the UAE in this, our year of tolerance .

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 2, 2019

“Over five decades since its establishment, the UAE has been promoting the values of tolerance, acceptance.”

“The UAE receives Pope Francis at a time when we are in dire need of meeting on common human values, extending bridges of brotherhood and friendship, highlighting the points of similarity, uprooting factors of separation, defusing and fighting strife, hatred and religious and ethnic discrimination."

"On this occasion, I thank my brother His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for inviting His Holiness to the UAE, the home of love and peace, to participate in the 'Global Religions Dialogue Forum on Human Brotherhood' in the presence of elite leaders and representatives of religions and faiths in the world,” he further stated.

We welcome the news of Pope Francis' visit to the United Arab Emirates next February - a visit that will strengthen our ties and understanding of each other, enhance interfaith dialogue and help us to work together to maintain and build peace among the nations of the world.

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) December 6, 2018

This reflects the UAE’s status as a global capital for coexistence, tolerance, fraternity and interfaith dialogue, which is not a new thing to the UAE, but has been founded and deeply-rooted in the UAE values by the founding father, the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and are being promoted by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Shaikh Mohammad stated.

“The UAE today is a home for people representing the world’s nations and are living in a harmonious human unity.”

"In this respect, we also welcome Dr. Ahmad Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar, who will be meeting the Pope in Abu Dhabi to deepen and strengthen the ties of human brotherhood, and emphasize the important role of religious clerics and scholars to spread peace and love everywhere,” Shaikh Mohammad concluded.

Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to the UAE (February 3 to 5) schedule

DAY 1: Sunday, February 3

Rome to Abu Dhabi

1pm Departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi

10pm Arrival at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport

Official Welcome

DAY 2: Monday, February 4

Abu Dhabi

12pm Welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace

12.20pm Official visit to the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at the Presidential Palace

5pm Private meeting with the members of the Muslim Council of Elders at Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque

6.10pm Inter-religious Meeting at the Founder’s Memorial

DAY 3: Tuesday, February 5

Abu Dhabi to Rome

9.15am Private visit to St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi

10.30am Holy Mass: Santa Messa in Zayed Sports City — Homily of the Holy Father

12.40pm Farewell Ceremony at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport

1pm Departure by plane to Rome

5pm Arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

Key Accomplishments

1 Inter-religious dialogue

Pope Francis has underlined the importance of friendship and respect between men and women of different religious traditions. He has said the future for interreligious dialogue lies in the coexistence of respectful diversity, and the fundamental right to religious freedom.

2 Helped restore relations between the US and Cuba

Pope Francis worked behind the scenes to help restore diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba. Former Cuba President Raul Castro publicly thanked ope Francis and the Catholic Church for their role in the talks.

3 Fight against poverty and crime

The Pope has repeatedly urged world leaders to prevent excessive spending and provide more welfare aid to those in need. He has met the imprisoned and has condemned the mafia and organised crime.

4 Stand in favour of environment

Pope Francis has spoken on the issue several times and has called on the world to become better stewards of the environment. He has not shied away from the discussion on global warming.

5 Open discussion and debate in the church

Freer exchange of views and discussions is being allowed in the church. Bishops are encouraged to speak their minds boldly and not worry about disagreeing with the Pope.