Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria, Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, has commended the role of the UAE under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in consolidating the concepts of religious tolerance, the fraternity between religions, and working to spread love and peace throughout the Arab region and the world.

Pope Tawadros II said this when he received Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), and her accompanying delegation at the St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral located in the Abbassia district in Cairo.

Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi met with Pope Tawadros on the sidelines of the meetings of the 23rd Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, in Cairo.

Dr. Al Qubaisi conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, and the people of the UAE to the Pope.

Pope Tawadros II also expressed his thanks and gratitude to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for the UAE's tireless efforts to achieve equality and brotherhood among the people of all religions.

Pope Tawadros II said that the UAE's policies of religious tolerance, and efforts to spread the values of love and peace are based primarily on a deep understanding of the principles of Islam, adopting moderate values, working towards the reconciliation of religions, and renouncing violence.

During the meeting, Dr. Al Qubaisi, highlighted the most troubling concerns facing the world - the spread of terrorism and extremism - which is significantly affecting the Middle East. She described terrorism as a threat that snatches young Arabs from their families, sabotages hope and development in the region, threatens the future of people, and infuses fear in many parts of the world. It also devastates economies and the national security of many countries, and threatens regional and world peace.

Al Qubaisi went on to stress the importance of collective work to fight and root out terrorism, curb its spread, highlighting the importance of spreading the concepts of peace, dialogue and understanding amongst people.

Source:WAM