Landmark moment for all faiths
His visit to the Arabian Peninsula this week was Pope Francis at his best. He delivered a powerful address full of resounding phrases in favour of peace and social justice to a unique interfaith assembly in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates.
His visit to the Arabian Peninsula this week was Pope Francis at his best. He delivered a powerful address full of resounding phrases in favour of peace and social justice to a unique interfaith assembly in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. He came, he said, “as a believer thirsting for peace, as a brother seeking peace with the brethren”. With obvious sincerity he offered a warm hand of friendship and fraternity to Muslims there and everywhere, and he ministered to and encouraged in their faith the million or so Catholics in the Emirates, most of them migrant workers.
His visit sends a lesson in mutual tolerance between Christians and Muslims around the world. It is an emphatic rebuttal of the idea that the Christian world and the Islamic world are on a collision course of apocalyptic proportions – the “clash of civilisations” hypothesis. The authorities in Abu Dhabi set a bold example to other Arab countries.
But Francis goes beyond a call for tolerance. His message is one of fraternity – the recognition that the two faiths belong in the same family and worship the same God. It is a message his Arab hosts reciprocated, sounding no less sincere.
Get Instant Access
Continue Reading
Register for free to read this article in full
Subscribe for unlimited access
From just £37.50 quarterly
Print copy of The Tablet delivered directly to your door.
Complete access to all Tablet website content including all premium content.
Access to the weekly digital copy of The Tablet.
Full access to The Tablet’s archive – over 180 years of back issues.
Already a subscriber? Login
Help us keep The Tablet’s voice independent, clear and far-reaching.
Founded in 1840, The Tablet is the leading independent English-language Catholic weekly, celebrated for great writing, astute analysis, brilliant arts and books reviews and trustworthy reporting from correspondents in Britain, Ireland, Rome and across the world.
Independent, high-quality journalism is at the heart of what we do. The Tablet does not have deep pockets and we are not funded by rich donors. If you appreciate our work please consider supporting The Tablet’s Development Fund. It only takes a moment and you can cancel at any time.
- Support with £5 per month
- Support with £10 per month
- Support with other amount.
