Nahyan bin Mubarak attends Christmas celebrations at the Coptic Orthodox Church in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, 7 January / WAM / His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended, yesterday evening, the Christmas celebrations held at the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church in Abu Dhabi, in a festive atmosphere full of faith, tolerance and human brotherhood.
The celebration was also attended by Counselor Ali bin Al-Sayyed Abdul Rahman Al-Hashemi, Advisor for Judicial and Religious Affairs at the Presidential Office, and His Excellency Ambassador Essam Ashour, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the country, along with a number of scholars from the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments, priests of the Coptic Orthodox Church, heads of Christian denominations, businessmen, members of the Egyptian embassy, and a large crowd of members of the Egyptian community.
Reverend Bishoy Fakhri, pastor of St. Anthony Cathedral, extended his thanks, appreciation and gratitude to the leadership of the United Arab Emirates, praising the country’s firm values of tolerance, coexistence and respect for religious and cultural diversity.
Reverend Bishoy Fakhri welcomed His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, expressing his deep appreciation and thanks to His Excellency for his presence and participation in the Christmas celebrations, stressing that this participation reflects the depth of the humanitarian approach of the UAE, and its established message in promoting the values of tolerance, human brotherhood, and coexistence between different religions and cultures, and constitutes a source of great pride for the members of the church and the Egyptian community residing in the country.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, also delivered a speech on this occasion, in which he said: I greet you with my warmest greetings, and I extend my sincere congratulations to all of you on the occasion of the Merry Christmas, praying to God Almighty to bring it back to you always, and you in goodness, happiness and reassurance – I am very pleased to share your joys with you on this good occasion, appreciating you, In your prayer tonight, you are inspired by the sublime values, principles, and teachings brought by Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, whom God made a sign for people, a mercy from Him, and a blessing wherever he is. He calls for love, harmony, and harmony, and for realizing human dignity, and elevating his thought, mind, and conscience, in a way that brings to people, all people, serenity of soul, joy of the heart, and joy of faith.
His Excellency added: I appreciate what you are emphasizing tonight, that the Christmas prayer is, in fact, a mirror of sincere faith, and an affirmation of the highest human values and meanings, which we all cherish, as a sure path to achieving goodness and mercy for all human beings, and spreading tolerance, coexistence and prosperity, in all parts of the world.
His Excellency said: We in the Emirates, brothers and sisters, are very pleased to extend our greetings and congratulations to you on this glorious occasion, and to confirm, by the grace of God, that we are a dear and strong country, with its authentic Islamic behavior, which calls for mutual respect among all people of religions and beliefs. We, praise be to God, are a country that emphasizes the values of brotherhood and communication among all people, and presents to the entire world a distinguished model. In human tolerance and peaceful coexistence, for the benefit of all.
His Excellency added that your prayers tonight, on Christmas, here in Abu Dhabi, are clear evidence that we in the Emirates, praise be to God, are fully convinced that praying to the Creator, turning to Him with supplication, and thanking Him, Glory be to Him, for the blessing of life and faith, the blessing of security and stability, and the blessing of prosperity and development, is an essential element in building a strong and harmonious society, and here, I am very honored to seize this occasion. Kindness, in order to extend my utmost thanks, great appreciation and respect, to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him”. I appreciate what His Highness always confirms to us, in word and deed, that faith in God is compatible with sound human nature, and that tolerance, coexistence and human brotherhood are values that emerge from this common sense, and have pivotal roles in the progress of society and the world, and in achieving understanding and harmony between nations. and peoples, as well as in resolving disputes and conflicts, combating intolerance and extremism, and achieving full benefit from all the data and tools of the era.
His Excellency continued, saying: Brothers and sisters, our presence together tonight, on the occasion of Christmas, is a strong expression of our great pride in the close fraternal relations between Egypt and the Emirates. Our presence together, here in an Egyptian church in the Emirates, is a living embodiment of our complete confidence and great optimism that our relations will always grow and prosper, for the benefit of the two brotherly peoples, and even the interest of the entire Arab nation. We thank God very much that the relations between Egypt and the Emirates are strong and extended, supported, of course, by the presence of all of you among us, dear brothers, who contribute to deepening the bonds of joint action and fruitful cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
His Excellency added: I also take this opportunity to extend my greetings and congratulations to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and I am pleased to point out the important role of the Church in the lives of its communities, and in the lives of its members, and also to what the Church represents, of an important spiritual force that enriches life and contributes to shaping the course of society and the world, in a positive way, to reach, God willing, To achieve goodness, peace and love among all.
At the conclusion of his speech, His Excellency said: In concluding my speech, I once again offer to all of you, on this glorious Eid, a greeting of love and peace, a greeting of brotherhood, coexistence, and humanity, and I pray to God Almighty, with you, that peace, tranquility, love, and harmony prevail throughout Egypt, throughout the Emirates, and throughout the entire world – a blessed Eid to all of you, and a happy new year, God willing. God bless you all, and may you all have a prosperous and peaceful year.
His Excellency Ambassador Essam Ashour also delivered a speech in which he expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan for his presence and participation. He then read out the congratulatory telegram addressed by His Excellency Mr. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, to the Egyptian Coptic community abroad on the occasion of Christmas.
This celebration reflects the advanced position that the UAE occupies as a pioneering civilized and humanitarian model in consolidating the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, as the country was founded on the principles of respecting the human person and preserving his dignity, and promoting the culture of pluralism and acceptance of others, based on a firm belief that religious and cultural diversity constitutes a source of strength and wealth for society, and contributes to building a more stable and prosperous future for all.
This comprehensive humanitarian scene also confirms the UAE’s continued commitment to promoting dialogue between religions and cultures, consolidating the principles of human brotherhood and peace, and providing a safe environment that embraces different nationalities and beliefs in a framework of mutual respect and positive coexistence, which reflects its humanitarian mission and its pioneering role in supporting stability and understanding at the regional and international levels.
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