Day: May 16, 2021

ABU DHABI, Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, took part in the extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation Executive Committee at the level of Foreign Ministers, which was held on Sunday upon the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discuss the recent violence in occupied East Jerusalem and the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque and its impact on the brotherly Palestinian people.

During the meeting, which was held via video conference, Al Hashimy delivered the UAE’s speech in which she strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the displacement of Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, which led to growing numbers of victims and injured civilians, including women and children. She stressed the need for the Israeli authorities to assume their responsibilities – in accordance with international law – to protect Palestinian civilians’ right to practice their religion and to preserve the historical and legal identity of occupied East Jerusalem.

“We join others in calling for an immediate cessation of violence and hostilities, to exercise maximum restraint and to take immediate steps to commit to a ceasefire. The events of the past days have been a sombre reminder of the urgent need to start the peace process according to the Arab initiative to bring about stability and peace,” she added.

The UAE also emphasised the need to respect the role of the brotherly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in protecting holy places under international law and to put an end to all aggression and practices that lead to continued tension and stalemate.

Al Hashimy reiterated the UAE’s support for all regional and international efforts to push the Middle East peace process forward and all international efforts against illegal practices that hinder the two-state solution and the establishment of the independent Palestinian state, based on 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, Secretary-General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF) Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has participated in a roundtable discussion titled “The Human Fraternity Document and the Christian-Muslim Dialogue”, organised by the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Community of Sant’ Egidio in Rome.

Judge Abdelsalam said that the long-standing relationship between Islam and Christianity have grown unbreakable since it began with the advent of Islam.

He explained that the early relations evolved into a unique model of coexistence and citizenship between the followers of the two religions and since then, integration and convergence have become a characteristic of Muslim-Christian relations in the Arab world.

In the early era of Islam, the East and the West had mature manifestations of such relations as exemplified in the historic dialogue between St. Francis of Assisi and Al-Malik Al-Kamil, Sultan of Egypt, Abdelsalam noted.

The secretary-general pointed out that these relations have taken another dimension, beyond mere dialogue and scientific discussions, under the leadership of His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Dr. Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, who have a shared vision and a sincere desire to achieve peace for all human beings.

He stressed that the HCHF was formed to implement the principles and values of the historic Document on Human Fraternity that embodies such a humanistic vision of the two figures. In so doing, the Committee seeks to establish international partnerships and launch ambitious initiatives that take into account the world’s realities, he added.

In his remark about the HCHF’s key initiatives, Abdelsalam said the Abrahamic Family House is one of the Committee’s key initiatives that includes a church, a mosque, and a synagogue in one place, for the first time in history, in Abu Dhabi, the land of peaceful existence, noting that the project will provide a shared space for dialogue and existence while affirming and respecting the peculiarities of each religion. He also shed light on the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity initiative which is aimed to celebrate and encourage those who promote human fraternity values.

Judge Abdelsalam noted that in its second round the award went to Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Latifa Ibn Zayatin, for their remarkable efforts to spread peace and counter extremism.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, Etihad Airways has announced it will give away 10,000 prizes this week during Arabian Travel Market (ATM) taking place live in the UAE.

The prizes form part of the airline’s commitment to giving away 50,000 prizes throughout the year in celebration of the UAE’s 50th Anniversary.

Everyone signed up to the airline’s UAE 50 campaign will automatically be entered into the draw. Registering is simple and can be done through etihad.com/UAE50 or the Etihad stand at ATM.

Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Cargo, Etihad Airways, said, “Etihad is excited to be participating in ATM live this year, which is an important indicator of the UAE’s ability to host events safely. To mark the occasion, and in celebration of the UAE’s golden anniversary, the airline is giving away a phenomenal number of prizes this week and Etihad encourages everyone to take part in Etihad’s UAE50 campaign.”

The prizes include free Business class flights, up to 50,000 bonus Etihad Guest Miles per winner, and travel vouchers. The winners will be announced on etihad.com and on the large screens at the Etihad stand at ATM.

Visitors who play the ‘Guess and Win’ game by Etihad Holidays at ATM will be in to win a one night stay at a 5-star hotel in Abu Dhabi. Participating hotels include Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort and more.

Signing up to Etihad’s UAE50 can be done with just a name and email address, and is free to join. Throughout the golden jubilee year, Etihad will launch a number of activities and collaborations, from spotlighting the legacy of the nation, to co-creating commemorative artworks with expressionists in all art mediums.

Source: Emirates News Agency