WASHINGTON, July 25, 2018 — A delegation of government and faith leaders from the United Arab Emirates presented Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC with a model of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
“The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque reflects the UAE’s commitment to the spirit of diversity in culture, thought and civilization that Sheikh Zayed valued,” said Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre.
“As we celebrate the Year of Zayed in 2018, it is an honor for the Embassy to display this inspiring testament to Sheikh Zayed’s legacy,” said Ambassador Al Otaiba.
The UAE delegation also held a series of meetings with think tank analysts, experts on countering violent extremism and US faith leaders. In meetings at the George Washington University Program on Extremism and the Middle East Institute, members the group discussed the UAE’s shared interests with the US to counter extremism and highlighted the country’s efforts to promote a positive vision for the region.
Yesterday, the delegation met with members of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council to discuss interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance in the UAE. The UAE delegation also spoke with members of the Advisory Council about the UAE’s commitment to countering extremism.
“In the UAE, we are committed to promoting values of tolerance and coexistence,” said Ali Al Nuaimi, delegation head and secretary general of the Muslim Council of Elders. “These are values we share with our partners in the United States.”
The Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council brings together business, political and religious leaders in the Muslim and Jewish communities to jointly advocate for issues of common concern.
The group also toured the Washington National Cathedral Tuesday and met with Canon Missioner Reverend Dr. Leonard Hamlin, Sr.
The UAE delegation is in Washington, DC to attend the State Department Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom (July 25-26). The Ministerial brings together international leaders from governments, faith organizations and NGOs to discuss solutions for combatting religious persecution and ensuring religious freedom for all.
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SOURCE Embassy of the United Arab Emirates
