Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has ordered the renaming of the Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi to ‘Mariam, Umm Eisa’ — Arabic for ‘Mary, the mother of Jesus’.
Sheikh Mohammad said the order aims to “consolidate bonds of humanity between followers of different religions”.
The renaming of the mosque was welcomed by officials of government and Christian churches.
Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, called the Crown Prince’s decision “wise” and a “shining example” of tolerance and coexistence in the UAE.
Mohammad Mattar Al Kaabi, chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, also thanked Sheikh Mohammad for following His Highness President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s approach.
Reverend Canon Andrew Thompson of the nearby Anglican St Andrew’s Church said he was delighted by the news while Jeramie Rinne, senior pastor of the Evangelical Community Church in Abu Dhabi said Sheikh Mohammad has made another generous gesture of religious tolerance.
“We are very encouraged and feel blessed to be a part of this nation,” Gulf News quoted Rinne as saying.
credit: Weltrekordreise.ch
