ABU DHABI, 25th March, 2024 — Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, inaugurated conference titled “The Holy Quran, Cosmological Horizons, and the UAE’s Efforts in Serving It”, organised by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE).
The conference witnessed the attendance of an elite group of specialists, and UAE President’s guest scholars.
Attending the conference were Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE Fatwa Council, Mohamed Abdel Rahman Mohamed el-Dawiny, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Derei, Chairman of GAIAE, Dr. Engineer Khalifa Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Holy Quran Academy in Sharjah.
In his opening speech, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan highlighted the importance of the Holy Quran as a guide for a healthy life based on knowledge, work, and righteous behaviour, emphasising values of love, cooperation, tolerance, and human fraternity.
He expressed gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support and commitment to the Quran’s role in guiding individuals and societies towards compassion, progress, and development through reason, thought, and scientific advancement.
He said that this conference emphasises the importance of contemplating the Holy Quran and promoting the message of Islam through construction, development, and societal progress. It praises the virtues of a tolerant religion that values knowledge, wisdom, and empowerment.
He emphasised that the conference, organised by the GAIAE, underscores the UAE’s significant role in the Islamic world. Reflecting on the nation’s pivotal position and the legacy of its late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, he highlighted the UAE’s rich cultural heritage, extensive experience, and steadfast commitment to Islamic teachings. This makes it a natural and deserving centre for enlightened Islamic discourse in the contemporary era.
He expressed his gratitude for the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, emphasising how it fosters moderation, productive thinking, and a promising future for the UAE and the wider Islamic world.
In his speech, Abdullah bin Bayyah praised the UAE’s dedication to the Holy Quran, its teaching, and recitation in mosques and schools, serving both religion and the well-being of Muslims and humanity. He highlighted this as a continuation of Sheikh Zayed’s legacy, with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s support being a tangible testament.
He expressed prayers for Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s generosity towards Holy Quran campaigners and appreciated Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed’s patronage of the conference.
Dr. El-Dawiny emphasised the importance of the conference focusing on the Holy Quran and cosmic sciences, highlighting the complementary roles of science and religion in addressing fundamental questions about human existence.
Dr. Omar Al Derei highlighted the Holy Quran’s centrality to all knowledge, describing it as a vast ocean of wisdom. He viewed the conference as an opportunity to explore this treasure trove and urged attendees to reflect on its teachings.
