The Archbishop of Jerusalem and the
Near East yesterday paid tributes to President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin
Sultan Al Nahyan, describing him as a strong proponent of tolerance and
freedom, given his clear vision of all heavenly religions.
Archbishop Anba Abraham said he was conveying a message
of appreciation to the President from the Pope for his role in promoting
religious tolerance and allowing all races in the UAE to practice their
religious duties without restriction.
In a lecture on Religious Tolerance in the UAE, the
Archbishop said the Pope met Sheikh Zayed a few years ago and his impression
about him was that he was "a far-sighted and a wise man with a good heart
and a wide vision.
"I would like to tell you that the Pope keeps on
mentioning Sheikh Zayed and never stops expressing his appreciation for him.
This leader has turned the UAE into a paradise dominated by security,
stability, prosperity, freedom, democracy and religious forgiveness and
tolerance," he said at the Zayed Centre for Coordination and Follow-up.
"In the UAE, one can see all these people with
different nationalities, religions and ethnic origins. All of them live in
unison and freedom and are allowed to practise their religious activities no
matter what they are. What more can we want?
"One might ask how this happens. I would say it is
happening because of His Highness's clear vision and understanding of heavenly
religions and the right interpretation of religious activities and practices. I
would like to see such tolerance everywhere on this planet."
Archbishop Abraham said religious tolerance could be
upheld and become widespread if the media and other groups play an effective
role in this field. He said the family, cultural background, the school and
university syllabi also play a vital part.
He said tolerance is recommended and upheld by the three
main heavenly religions and that no religion should be judged through
individual acts. "Samaha (religious tolerance) is mentioned in all holy
books of those religions and any one who violates such teachings is in fact
violating the very principles of the religion.
"You can conclude that those who are violating
religious tolerance are mostly individuals, whose acts should not apply to all.
It is not reasonable or acceptable that we judge a whole religion through
individual and unorganised actions."
In his 30-minute lecture and the ensuing question and
answer session, the Archbishop spoke about tolerance in religions through the
past ages. He said such a phenomenon was widespread mostly in prosperous
periods since it gives rise to security and stability.
The Christian scholar, a Coptic Archbishop from Egypt,
recited verses from the Holy Quran, which he said proved that Islam is a
religion of tolerance.
One of the verses he cited was "no coercion in
religion" which he described as "the highest level of religious
tolerance." Another verse was "urge people to believe in God through
wisdom and good preaching. Argue with them in a convincing way."
"You should know that since its inception, Islam has
dealt with others in a good and tolerant manner. In Christianity and Judaism,
tolerance is also a key feature in the holy books.
"As you see, religious tolerance is the pillar of
happiness since every heavenly message is intended for the happiness and
freedom of man. Anyone who veers away from these principles has nothing to do
with religion."