Vatican visit is a boost to civilised talks, says Grand Mufti

The Grand Mufti of Dubai, Dr Ahmed Al Haddad

Intercommunication between the Islamic and Christian civilisations is part and parcel of an Islamic method urged by Islam according to the Grand Mufti of Dubai, Dr Ahmed Al Haddad, told Khaleej Times.
"Islam calls for dialogue and cooperation for the best of people's life, and that is critical in promoting tolerance of Islam and attracting millions of people who willingly embrace it as of the Hudaibiya treaty," he said.
Islamic countries with all their sects and ideologies believe that cultural intercommunication and expertise exchange are some of the major pillars of internal and external policy, he added.
"The visit of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to Vatican opens channels for culture and civilisation exchange and is important for human societies," he said.
There has been centuries-long interaction between Islamic and Christian civilisations, he said. "Cultural interaction has never stopped, particularly as the Eastern churches and cathedrals remained untouched and none has been forced to convert to Islam."
Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed, with this visit, revives the Islamic method of promoting tolerance particularly at this time when Muslims and non-Muslims are being attacked by terrorists, Dr Haddad highlighted.
The Muslim Council of Elders (MCE) has proudly been the first to communicate with the Eastern Church and meet with its representatives in two sessions in Italy and France in 2015/16, Dr Haddad pointed out.
Shaikh Ahmed Al Tayeb, the Grand Shaikh of Al Azhar and President of the Muslim Council of Elders visited the Vatican in beginning of this year on the sidelines of the France conference. ­
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com