The Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, President of Zayed University, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, said that arts and music build bridges of communication with cultures and promote values of love, tolerance and acceptance of the other.
This came during a speech delivered at the opening of the musical evening held at the University's headquarters in Abu Dhabi, under the title «Rock - churches together for tolerance», and organized by the Church of St. Andrew in Abu Dhabi, and revived by the prominent Anglican composer Roger Jones and his band, on the occasion of « Tolerance. She stressed that this evening opens the opportunity to interact with various cultural, religious, creative and educational experiences, and allows students to enjoy the value of tolerance through music. She said: “Tolerance is a deep-rooted value in the UAE society, which has laid the foundations of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, and keen to promote and consolidate in the hearts of his people, through the adoption of a policy of openness and dialogue with everyone regardless of color or race or Religion, the UAE today becomes an essential pillar in promoting peace and rapprochement between peoples, and a global icon of tolerance and coexistence, thanks to the embrace of more than 200 nationalities ». Around 1,200 people gathered in the hall of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, mother of the Emirates, at the conference center on campus to follow up the evening.
"It is remarkable to witness this real world event, in which Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Evangelical and Evangelical groups and other churches are integrated," said the coordinator of the evening, Rev. Gil Nesbitt. Rev. Andy Thompson, the chief Anglican priest in Abu Dhabi, said: “What the UAE has provided to Christian churches is not available in our countries. We are gathering here not only in places of worship but also in the workplace.” "Tolerance is a fundamental value that we as Christians aspire to live and practice our faith experiences, and we thank the wise leadership in the UAE for its keenness to promote freedom and respect," he added.
Pastor Andy Thompson:
• What the UAE has provided to Christian churches is not available in our countries.