Riding on the national government’s vision of establishing the country as a safe place for people of different colours, backgrounds, and religions, business enterprises in the country are now stepping up in their unique efforts to introduce the UAE as a place of tolerance, where everyone is welcome, and is encouraged to practice what makes them happy.
Through this initiative, the government has already set new laws and initiatives to promote the values of respect and tolerance among its residents, as well as to promote human dignity and the cause for happiness, while in the country.
Multi-Faith Prayer Room Now Open to Passengers in Abu Dhabi Airport
In this light, the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi has announced that it has officially opened the first multi-faith prayer room at Abu Dhabi International Airport, AUH, in celebration of the UAE’s ‘Year of Tolerance’, and in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Airports, as shared in a report by WAM.
The new prayer room provides airport passengers of all faiths with a quiet and solemn area located away from the main airport to gather and express their devotion and faith through their religion.
The inauguration of the new prayer room was attended by key representatives from Abu Dhabi Airports and the Department of Community Development, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Airports Chairman; Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development; Bryan Thompson, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports; and Ahmed Juma Al Shamsi, Acting Chief Operations Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports.
The initiative highlights the department’s efforts to provide a decent and dignified life for all those who call Abu Dhabi home. Part of this is ensuring that worshipers from all religions have the appropriate facilities to practice their faith. Along with the many other religious facilities throughout Abu Dhabi, the room at AUH will be dedicated to passengers, transit travelers, as well as airport staff.
Article 32 of the UAE law authorizes the freedom to exercise religious worship in accordance with established customs, provided that it does not conflict with public policy or violate public morals.
According to Bryan Thompson, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, “As a global hub, we welcome passengers from all walks of life, and our multi-faith prayer room initiative seeks to accommodate the needs of our passengers from all faiths.”
He added that Abu Dhabi’s new set of corporate values, which was introduced last October, emphasise and reflect the core beliefs of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was known globally for accepting every individual and respecting different cultures.
“The new multi-faith prayer room is a representation of these values, which are being implemented by our staff members throughout our activities and operations,” explained Thompson.
This is great news for all kinds of people visiting the UAE, because they are now given a special place where they can express their faith, right at the [Abu Dhabi] airport, and everywhere else in the country.
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