In
a speech given last week in the UK, Lord David Alton argued that the issue of
religious freedom be “given greater political and diplomatic priority, to
insist on the importance of religious literacy as a competence, to discuss the
crossover between freedom of religion and belief and a nation’s prosperity and
stability and to reflect on the suffering of those denied this foundational
freedom.”
He
referred to current examples of appalling abuses of religious freedom, several
of which were in Middle Eastern countries.
This
region is characterised in much of the western media as a hotbed of religious
persecution and violence, although the UAE stands out for the opposite reason.
Christians and people of other faiths can worship here without fear of
intimidation. So, what makes this country different?
The
answer does not seem to be due to any distinctive beliefs (though the UAE is
proudly and authentically Islamic). Dubai and Abu Dhabi, for instance,
subscribe to the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence, whereas Sharjah and
Ras Al Khaimah are historically Wahhabi.
A
part of the answer must lie in the encounters between the founding leaders of
the UAE and the extraordinary pioneers who came to live in the Trucial States
before the discovery of oil. Perhaps
the best known example is the late Sheikh Zayed inviting Dr Pat Kennedy to
start a hospital in Al Ain.
Although
Dr Kennedy wore his Christian faith on his sleeve, Sheikh Zayed was not
troubled by this. Indeed, Dr Kennedy’s faith was often a topic of conversation
between the two men. Others who worked there also inspired a deep respect and
affection including Gertrude Dyke, who is remembered as “Dr Latifa” by
Emiratis.
Less
known is the Sarah Hosman Hospital in Sharjah, which opened in 1951.
Dr. Hosman would go and visit the tribes in the desert on medical tours riding on a
mule. Her story was even more inspiring when one discovers she had a wooden
leg. Many members of the present day ruling family of Sharjah were born in her
hospital.
Again,
she had a vibrant Christian faith in which she and her staff openly shared
their religious convictions with the local patients, a privilege that rarely
seemed to cause offence.
An
equally formidable and inspiring Christian pioneer is Wilhelmina van de Weg who
also earned the respect and affection of the local people in Fujairah for
serving the people selflessly through the maternity clinic.
The
shared attributes of all these pioneer Christian workers were a deep
understanding of the local people, fluency in Arabic and a heart to serve with
equity all sectors of Arab society – and to do so without seeking personal
financial gain. They
were also all overt in the expression of their Christian faith.
The
significance of these workers is that they gave the visionary founding sheikhs
of the UAE a concrete example of the mutual benefits of interfaith tolerance.
This mutual benefit is not a small matter. For example, one benefit in allowing
Christians to establish the Oasis hospital in Al Ain was the plummeting of the
infant mortality rate from more than 50 per cent to 1 per cent.
Schools
also benefited. Some of the earliest and most effective providers of mass
education in this country include the Roman Catholic Church, with teachers
coming from monastic orders and the religious sisterhoods.
The
huge Gems organisation traces its roots to the educational vision of the Varkey
family, who are devout members of the Marthoma Church from South India.
In
return, the open mindedness and hospitality of the Emirati people has benefited
those of other faiths.
They
have created a calm environment in a turbulent global economy, in which people
from all over the world can find a spiritual refuge, as well as economic
security.
More
importantly, expatriates encounter an Islam that is confident, secure and
embraces diversity of faiths and peoples in an atmosphere of acceptance.
All
this was highlighted in the new anti-discrimination law passed last week. This
is unique in the Islamic world.
The
UAE continues a proud and distinctive commitment to religious freedom and
tolerance. It is a tradition that can be firmly traced back to the vision and
values of the country’s founding fathers.
Reverend
Canon Andrew Thompson MBE is senior Anglican chaplain of St Andrew’s Church in
Abu Dhabi and author of Christianity in the UAE and Jesus of Arabia. – End-
Image
by: http://www.thenational.ae/
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