H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister has attended an intellectual gathering at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
The gathering titled 'Love and Loyalty for Zayed the Benevolent' was co-organised by the Presidential Affairs Ministry, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre and the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) to celebrate the Zayed Humanitarian Day which marks the 10th death anniversary of the nation's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan passed away on 19 Ramadan ten years ago.
Also present at the gathering were Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Egypt's Religious Endowments Minister, Mukhtar Gomaa, Hamdan Musallam Al Mazroui, Chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), Mattar Al Kaabi, Director-General of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), dignitaries and Islamic scholars who are in U.A.E. on invitation by U.A.E. President, The speakers paid a rich tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan as unique benevolent and global humanitarian leader who was loved by all in U.A.E, Arab and Islamic countries and the around the world.
In his speech at the event, Hamdan Musallam Al Mazroui noted that the late Sheikh Zayed built a united society in U.A.E. on the foundations of harmony and cooperation.
"The late Sheikh Zayed had united the hearts before he united the land and was therefore able to bring all his people together under one flag." "It is our duty to walk in his steps and preserve the unity of our country, the cohesion of our society and our families and cling tight to the principles we uphold," added Mr. Hamdan Musallam Al Mazroui who praised U.A.E. people for upholding values such as prominence, ambition, responsibility, tolerance, helping distressed people, benevolence and loyalty to the country's leaders for the protection of the nation and its achievements.
Egypt's Religious Endowments Minister, Mukhtar Gomaa, said the noble traits of the late Sheikh Zayed, the sage of Arab Nation, will always be remembered as he had a far-sighted humanitarian vision, deep understanding of peaceful co-existence, inter-cultural interaction and communication and showing respect for others regardless of their colour, race or gender.
"His life should be studied as the world now needs to adopt his humane vision which was based on authentic understanding of Islamic civilisation." Minister Gomaa said Sheikh Zayed's principles and acts were in line with a verse in Surah Al Israa of the Holy Quran where Allah Almight says, "And we have certainly bestowed dignity on the children of Adam". Minister Gomaa went on to say that the verse means that all humankind, and not only Muslims or monotheists, are what Allah bestowed dignity on.
He also noted that Allah Almighty had sent Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to all humanity.
Prominent Islamic scholar Abdallah Bin Bayyah said the late Sheikh Zayed was "a history that made the future and linked the generations with the noble values of the forefathers." He followed the path of tolerance, peace, authenticity, openness, generous giving, and promoted peace in all international circles and always intervened for reconciliation between peoples of the world."
Bin Bayyah also condemned "groups which kidnapped and tarnished Islam by deserting its moderation which was the path that the late Sheikh Zayed walked and which U.A.E. is now walking.