MENA FN | UAE Embassy hosts premiere of film celebrating historic visit of Pope Francis to Abu Dhabi

WASHINGTON DC, 18th July, 2019 (WAM) — Interfaith leaders from Washington, DC, and the United Arab Emirates gathered on Monday at the National Geographic Headquarters for an exclusive premiere and discussion of ‘The Peace Visit’, a documentary film produced by National Geographic, which highlights the historic visit of Pope Francis to Abu Dhabi in February 2019. The event took place on the sidelines of the US State Department’s second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom.

In welcoming distinguished guests to the event and introducing the film, National Geographic Partners Chairman Gary Knell remarked that Pope Francis’ visit to the UAE was a first for any pontiff, and represented an historic meeting of faiths in Abu Dhabi.

“His landmark trip attracted worldwide attention, with all of the grandeur and formalities that come with a papal visit set to the stunning, dramatic backdrop of the Arabian Peninsula,” said Knell. “But, this trip was more than just pomp and circumstance it had a clear purpose: to promote tolerance across not only the Middle East, but the world.”

The film will be distributed by National Geographic Partners later this year.

Following a screening of ‘The Peace Visit’, a panel discussed the film and the broader impact Pope Francis’ visit had on the UAE and the region. The panel was moderated by Dr. James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute, and included Scott Hellier, Director of ‘The Peace Visit’; Reverend Andy Thompson, Chaplain of St. Andrew’s Church in Abu Dhabi; and Reverend Johnnie Moore, Commissioner on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Each of the panelists was present at Pope Francis’ mass in Abu Dhabi, and they shared their experience and thoughts on the lasting impact the visit will have to promote peace and coexistence among humankind.

“In the UAE, people with different beliefs can live, work and worship together,” said UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba. “Reverence, respect and compassion are core common values among all people. Prayer is both uniting and unifying.”

Ambassador Al Otaiba and senior diplomats from the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC attended the event. Also in attendance was a delegation of senior UAE officials who are participating in the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, led by Dr. Ali Nuaimi, Chairman of International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism,Hedayah. Dr. Al Nuaimi was joined by Hedayah Executive Director Dr. Maqsoud Kruse, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Director General Dr. Yousif Alobaidli, and Evangelical Church of Abu Dhabi Pastor Jeramie Rinne and other faith leaders in the UAE.

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