Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was represented by Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, who attended the Oasis of Mercy House event on his behalf in the Arab Republic of Egypt. Her Excellency participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the “Zayed’s Sons” hall, named in appreciation and gratitude to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his support for the project, which began its implementation after the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity” by His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in Abu Dhabi in February 2019.
The celebration for the project - which was developed to reflect the values and principles of the Document on Human Fraternity - was also attended by Her Excellency Mariam Al Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, along with several public figures, diplomats, members of the institution, and guests from the UAE, Jordan, Iraq, Italy, and the United States.
From the Egyptian side, the ceremony was attended by Her Excellency Soha Gendi, Minister of Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, Staff Major General Khaled Labib, Assistant Minister of Defense representing the Minister of Defense, His Excellency Engineer Khaled Abbas, Chairman of the New Administrative Capital for Urban Development, Bishop Klimandos, representing His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, and His Beatitude Ibrahim Isaac, Patriarch of the Coptic Catholic Church of Alexandria, Nabila Makram, former Minister of Emigration in Egypt and President of the Fahim Foundation for Mental Health Support, and Sheikh Dr. Mazhar Shahin.
During the event, H.E. Noura Al Kaabi stated: “The Oasis of Mercy House project originates from the spirit of the Document on Human Fraternity signed by His Holiness the Pope and His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in Abu Dhabi. It forms part of several projects to serve the region and provide a pathway for youth to gain knowledge and explore the values of coexistence, tolerance, compassion, and peace. These values embody the principles of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace.”
Her Excellency added: “The Oasis of Mercy House draws inspiration from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, to promote the values of peace, peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding, and enhancing bridges of communication and dialogue, which contribute to regional and international stability and prosperity.”
Notably, His Holiness Pope Francis sent a special letter on the occasion, along with a video message which was displayed during the celebration. The occasion also included the unveiling of a prestigious gift from His Holiness Pope Francis to the Oasis of Mercy House project; an exact replica of the Mercy Sculpture by the world-famous artist Michaelangelo. The unique gift will serve as a memento of His Holiness’s visit to Egypt in 2017 and appreciation of Egypt’s historical role as an oasis for coexistence, peace, fraternity, and interfaith dialogue.
The ceremony began with a tour of the Oasis of Mercy House – with its location in the New Administrative Capital especially chosen to emphasise its humanitarian and cultural characteristics - to introduce guests to the Museum of Human Fraternity, where an original copy of the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by His Holiness the Pope and His Eminence the Imam, is on display, in addition to other rare objects.
Gratitude to the UAE
The event also included a speech by the Vatican Ambassador and a speech by Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, President of the Human Fraternity Foundation, where he expressed his gratitude to the UAE’s wise leadership and people for their ‘generous support for the Oasis of Mercy House project, which originated in the land of Zayed to embody the principles of the Abu Dhabi Document’
