His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was represented by Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, who attended the Oasis of Mercy House event on his behalf in the Arab Republic of Egypt. Her Excellency participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the ‘Zayed's Sons’ hall, named in appreciation and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, for his support for the project, which began its implementation after the signing of the ‘ Document on Human Fraternity’ by His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in February 2019, in Abu Dhabi.
The celebration for the project - which was developed to reflect the values and principles of the Document on Human Fraternity - was also attended by Her Excellency Mariam Al Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, along with several public figures, diplomats, members of the institution, and guests from the UAE, Jordan, Iraq, Italy, and the United States.
From the Egyptian’s side, the celebration was attended by Her Excellency Former Minister Nabila Makram, formerly Minister of Immigration and Chairperson of Fahem Foundation for Psychological Support, Staff Major General Khaled Labib, Assistant Minister of Defense representing the Minister of Defense, Major General Ahmed Fahmy, General Manager of the Administrative Capital for Urban Development, representing His Excellency Engineer Khaled Abbas, Chairman of the New Administrative Capital for Urban Development, Ambassador Omar Salim, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cultural Relations, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bishop Klimandos, representing His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria, and Sheikh Dr. Mazhar Shahin.
The ceremony began with a tour of the Oasis of Mercy House – with its location in the New Administrative Capital especially chosen to emphasize its humanitarian and cultural charactaristics - to introduce guests to the Museum of Human Fraternity, where an original copy of the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by His Holiness the Pope and His Eminence the Imam, is on display, in addition to other rare objects. The tour also included a visit to the children's accomedations, and concluded with the Mercy Sculpture.
During the event, HE Noura Al Kaabi stated: “The Oasis of Mercy House project originates from the spirit of the Document on Human Fraternity signed by His Holiness the Pope and His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in Abu Dhabi. It forms part of several projects to serve the region and provide a pathway for youth to gain knowledge and explore the values of coexistence, tolerance, compassion, and peace. These values embody the principles of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace.”
Her Excellency added: "The Oasis of Mercy Home draws inspiration from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, to promote the values of peace, peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding, and enhancing bridges of communication and dialogue, which contribute to regional and international stability and prosperity."
Notably, His Holiness Pope Francis sent a special letter on the occasion, along with a video message which was displayed during the celebration. The event also included a speech by the Vatican Ambassador and a speech by Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, President of the Human Fraternity Foundation, where he expressed his gratitude to the UAE's wise leadership and people for their "generous support for the Oasis of Mercy House project, which originated in the land of Zayed to embody the principles of the Abu Dhabi Document”.
The occasion also included the unveiling of a prestigious gift from His Holiness Pope Francis to the Oasis of Mercy House project; an exact replica of the Mercy Sculpture by the world-famous artist Michaelangelo. The unique gift will serve as a memento of His Holiness's visit to Egypt in 2017 and appreciation of Egypt's historical role as an oasis for coexistence, peace, fraternity, and interfaith dialogue.
