Pope Francis' UAE trip opens new page in Christian-Muslim dialogue

Christian-Muslim dialogue has opened a new page in promoting peace among religions with the first ever visit of a Pontiff to the United Arab Emirates.

In an article from Vatican posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website, Pope Francis was quoted as saying that the “scattered seeds” of the February 3 to 5 trip will bear fruit according to God’s will.

The visit to the UAE, and second meeting with the Muslim Grand Imam of al-Azhar, “wrote a new page in the history of dialogue between Christianity and Islam and in the commitment to promote peace in the world on the basis of human brotherhood.”

Pope Francis first met the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb, during a 2017 apostolic visit to Egypt. The two signed a joint document on human fraternity Feb. 4., the article said.

Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb. VATICAN MEDIA

e Pope was also quoted as condemning all forms of violence motivated by religions.

“We condemn all forms of violence, especially those with religious motivation, and we commit ourselves to spreading authentic values and peace throughout the world.”

He also recognized that in our time, there is a strong temptation of pitting Christian and Islamic cultures, and that religious beliefs can become a source of conflict.

But the Pope pointed out: “We wanted to give a further, clear and decisive sign, that instead it is possible to meet, it is possible to respect and dialogue.”

“Despite the diversity of cultures and traditions, the Christian and Islamic world appreciate and protect common values: life, family, religious sense, honor for the elderly, the education of young people, and still other things,” Pope Francis said.

Also the Pope encouraged the people to read the joint document on "Human Fraternity."

Francis’ trip to the UAE, the first of a pope to the Arabian Peninsula, also fell 800 years after St. Francis of Assisi visited the Sultan Malik al Kamil in Egypt. Pope Francis said it was “Providence” that a pope named Francis made the historic trip on the 800th anniversary of the saint’s visit, the Vatican article said. —LBG, GMA News