DUBAI: A mosque in the UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi has been renamed the “Mary, mother of Jesus” Mosque in a bid to “consolidate bonds of humanity between followers of different religions.”
The mosque — “Mariam, Umm Eisa” in Arabic — was renamed following orders of Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Abu Dhabi crown prince and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who called for consolidating bonds between followers of different faiths.
Minister of State for Tolerance Sheikha Lubna Al-Qasimi thanked the crown prince for his “wise directives in carrying out this initiative that set a shining example, and a beautiful image of the tolerance and coexistence enjoyed by the UAE,” according to a statement carried by WAM.
Rev. Canon Andrew Thompson of the nearby St. Andrew’s Church told Gulf News that he was “delighted” to hear the news.
“We are delighted that we are celebrating something that we have in common between both our faiths,” he said.
“Mary, as the mother of Jesus, is of course a holy, special figure in our communities. She is a woman who symbolizes obedience to God. We look forward to growing in deeper understanding with our neighbors, and we celebrate with them the new name of the mosque.”
The mosque was previously called the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Mosque.
Earlier this week, a church in the area of Al-Ain opened its doors to Muslims for Maghrib prayers. The event saw more than 200 Asian Muslim workers perform prayers in the church.
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Abu Dhabi mosque renamed ‘Mary, mother of Jesus’ in harmony bid
Abu Dhabi mosque renamed ‘Mary, mother of Jesus’ in harmony bid
Death toll in Pakistan mall fire hits 55: Karachi govt
- Relatives of those still missing have criticized the slow operation at the three-story Gul Plaza, where rescuers are scouring the wreckage for human remains
KARACHI: The death toll from a mall fire in Pakistan’s biggest city rose to at least 55 people, a Karachi government official told AFP on Thursday.
“A total of 55 bodies have been recovered since Saturday night” when the fire erupted, said Javed Nabi Khoso, deputy commissioner of Karachi’s south district.
Relatives of those still missing have criticized the slow operation at the three-story Gul Plaza, where rescuers are scouring the wreckage for human remains.
More than 50 families have given DNA samples, provincial health official Summaiya Syed told journalists Wednesday.
“We will hand over the bodies (remains) to the family, once DNA samples are matched,” she said outside the Civil Hospital Karachi mortuary.
Fires are common in Karachi’s markets and factories, which are known for their poor infrastructure, but a blaze on such a scale is rare.
Faraz Ali, whose father and 26-year-old brother were inside the mall, told AFP he wants “the bodies to be recovered and handed over to their rightful families.”
“That is all so that the families may receive something, some comfort, some peace. At least let us see them one last time, in whatever condition they are, so that we may say our final goodbye,” the 28-year-old said Wednesday.
A government committee has launched an investigation, but the cause of the inferno was not immediately clear.
“A total of 55 bodies have been recovered since Saturday night” when the fire erupted, said Javed Nabi Khoso, deputy commissioner of Karachi’s south district.
Relatives of those still missing have criticized the slow operation at the three-story Gul Plaza, where rescuers are scouring the wreckage for human remains.
More than 50 families have given DNA samples, provincial health official Summaiya Syed told journalists Wednesday.
“We will hand over the bodies (remains) to the family, once DNA samples are matched,” she said outside the Civil Hospital Karachi mortuary.
Fires are common in Karachi’s markets and factories, which are known for their poor infrastructure, but a blaze on such a scale is rare.
Faraz Ali, whose father and 26-year-old brother were inside the mall, told AFP he wants “the bodies to be recovered and handed over to their rightful families.”
“That is all so that the families may receive something, some comfort, some peace. At least let us see them one last time, in whatever condition they are, so that we may say our final goodbye,” the 28-year-old said Wednesday.
A government committee has launched an investigation, but the cause of the inferno was not immediately clear.
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