Latest news with #YearofTolerance
Mid East Info
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Mid East Info
The Year of Tolerance and Qasr Al Watan - Middle East Business News and Information
Former president of the United Arab Emirates, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, declared 2019 to be the Year of Tolerance in the UAE . The UAE government champions coexistence among different faiths and nations, and by declaring 2019 as the year of tolerance , the country highlighted its openness to other cultures. In February of that year, His Holiness Pope Francis visited the country upon the invitation of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. This marked a significant milestone in the relationship between the Muslim and Catholic churches. A month later, in March, the Palace of the Nation, Qasr Al Watan, started welcoming visitors . Qasr Al Watan was completed and has commenced its official function as the presidential working palace in 2017, but it was closed to the public until the Year of Tolerance, 2019. To further honor the UAE's declared commitment to maintaining harmonious interfaith relations, Qasr Al Watan created a special exhibit. Specifically, the House of Knowledge displayed these three holy books together : The Holy Quran The Holy Bible The Book of David's Psalms About Qasr Al Watan Qasr Al Watan is a grandiose all-white palace set by the Arabian Gulf at the western edge of Abu Dhabi Island. It was constructed primarily to serve as the presidential complex, but it has since evolved into an awe-inspiring tribute to the UAE culture . It's true that Qasr Al Watan is an architectural masterpiece. The pristine white façade that gleams in the sunlight, the domes shot with delicate gold patterns, the book-matched marble walls and floors, and the glimmering crystal chandeliers—they are all irresistibly lovely. However, Qasr Al Watan is, first and foremost, a center for learning. Notable Qasr Al Watan Zones Qasr Al Watan's publicly accessible areas are divided into several zones. The zones include the following: 1. The Great Hall The Great Hall is the heart of Qasr Al Watan. Spanning 100 square meters (1,076 square feet), it is the palace's largest and most elaborate hall , and its vastness and opulence are what will greet you when you first go through the palace's gigantic doors. The Great Hall will immediately immerse you in its grandeur. Every piece of marble and gilding is flawless, and all surfaces, columns, arches, floors, and ceilings are adorned with intricate Arabic and Islamic patterns . They're extraordinary but never overwhelming, as they all seamlessly blend into a harmonious design. Look for the mirrored cubes stationed in the four corners of the Hall. Go inside and look at the patterns on the walls, floors, and ceilings with fresh eyes. The cubes act as a filter and provide unique perspectives on the Hall's motifs. While at the Great Hall, proceed to the center and look up. The central dome is a masterpiece. It has a diameter of 37 meters (121 feet) and soars 60 meters (197 feet) from the ground. 2. The Spirit of Collaboration Step into the Spirit of Collaboration, where influential political and administrative leaders gather to dictate UAE and regional policy. This circular chamber serves as the official meeting place for the UAE's Federal Supreme Council, as well as summits of the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The hall's most striking feature is the domed ceiling , adorned with gold-leaf designs and a massive 350,000-crystal chandelier. 3. Qasr Al Watan Library Qasr Al Watan Library is one of the most impressive public libraries in Abu Dhabi, so make sure to visit it during your tour of Qasr Al Watan. At the entryway, a pair of towering bookshelves will greet you. They extend multiple stories to frame the vast, 12-wing hall. Qasr Al Watan Library has more than 50,000 Arabic and English books in print; it has more in digital editions. There is a dedicated room for the library's rare books; there are approximately 2,000 volumes in this collection. The library is managed by the Department of Culture and Tourism . If you have a DCT Abu Dhabi library card, you can even borrow books to take home. 4. The House of Knowledge The House of Knowledge houses permanent exhibits of artifacts that represent the Arab world's rich intellectual heritage. It holds a compendium of the Arabs' major contributions to global knowledge and scholarship. Displayed are works by renowned Arab scholars, ancient medical texts, astronomical instruments, and beautifully preserved Arabic calligraphy and cartography. Note: By the way, outside the House of Knowledge is a golden, spherical Arabic calligraphy sculpture created by Mattar Bin Lahej. It's his artistic interpretation of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's words, particularly the one about wealth not being money or oil but people. Journey Into the Palace Qasr Al Watan is a palace complex that houses the offices of the UAE president. In 2019, it started welcoming visitors to coincide with the Year of Tolerance in the UAE. It's a beautiful and majestic place, certainly, but its greatest value lies in the valuable insight it provides into Arab artistry, craftsmanship, and scholarship.
Khaleej Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Hundreds join Pope Francis' memorial at St Francis Church, recall his 'simplicity, love'
Hundreds of priests, diplomats and community members gathered at the Church of St. Francis in the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi for a special memorial dedicated to the late Pope. During his sermon at the memorial Mass, the Apostolic Nuncio reflected on Pope Francis's legacy of humility and compassion, saying he consistently reminded the world that 'the Church is a hospital for the poor.' From the very start of his papacy, the late pope 'set a different tone – one of simplicity and closeness to the people.' Rejecting traditional displays of power, Pope Francis embodied solace and humility. His choice of the name Francis — after St Francis of Assisi — was a clear statement of his commitment to peace and love. The Nuncio noted that the church where the Mass was held, also named after St. Francis, symbolises those same values. The Nuncio highlighted powerful moments of the late pope's ministry, including how he 'comforted the forgotten' and 'wept with refugees and migrants', saying these acts reflected the mercy of God. Pope Francis' legacy challenges the Church 'to go forward' with that same vision, he concluded. Father Stefano Luca, Resident Priest of St. Francis Church at the Abrahamic Family House, said while Pope Francis' landmark visit to the UAE in 2019 was deeply symbolic, coinciding with the UAE's Year of Tolerance, the timing had an even deeper historical resonance. "Why 2019? Because it was the 800th anniversary since the encounter between St Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt, Al-Malik al-Kamil in 1219. The two historical figures came together during the Crusades and formed an unlikely friendship – something Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr Ahmed Al-Tayeb sought to revive. Their 2019 visit to Abu Dhabi led to the signing of the Human Fraternity Document, which is considered a milestone in interfaith dialogue. 'The visit also laid the groundwork for the Abrahamic Family House. Though the vision may have existed earlier, Father Stefano noted that the historic visit "gave decisive boost that now is the time to do it.' Watch a video of the memorial service, here: He recalled meeting Pope Francis personally a couple of times, describing the Pope's humility and warmth. "His simplicity and his willingness to greet… look into our eyes… the profound spirituality connected to the profound humanity." When asked if the Pope said anything personal to him, Father Stefano remembered: "Be happy and be a good Franciscan friar." This was particularly meaningful as both he and the Pope are followers of St Francis of Assisi, the namesake of the church he now leads. Looking ahead, Father Stefano aims to carry forward Pope Francis' legacy by nurturing interfaith friendship and understanding on a human level. Abdulla Al Shehhi, Acting Executive Director of the Abrahamic Family House, said the signing of the Human Fraternity Document by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr Ahmed Al-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi 'was not by accident,' but rather a deliberate decision based on 'their conviction in the role of the UAE in the protection of tolerance.' The Abrahamic Family House, he said, was 'one of the fruits of the covenant,' and now stands as a testament to the pope's values of peace and unity. Watch people join in large numbers to honour the late pope's legacy: Recalling a personal moment, Al Shehhi described meeting Pope Francis in Rome, alongside Mohamed Al Mubarak, president of the Abrahamic Family house. They presented the pope with a gift and showed him a video featuring the life of the church in Abu Dhabi. 'His face was really radiant with satisfaction,' he said, sharing how even in pain, the pope's 'smile was the same.' He also fondly remembered the pope's humour, recounting how he joked about a wedding photo they showed him that was held at the church. The Pope joked that the man was making a mistake by getting married, 'and we all laughed from the sense of humour,' Al Shehhi added. Despite the church being designed for 300 worshippers, Al Shehhi said it has welcomed over a thousand people every Sunday since opening. 'Over a hundred thousand people have prayed [here], and this number is constantly increasing.' He added that the church will continue to honour Pope Francis's memory 'for decades and centuries' by carrying forward his values: 'forgiveness, peace, love, and sincerity.'
