Britain's queen tours world's largest mosque

MSNBC ^ | AP

[Tennessee Nana]

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Britain's Queen Elizabeth II toured one of the world's largest mosques Wednesday in her first state visit in more than 30 years to the United Arab Emirates, a country with deep British ties.

The 84-year-old monarch wore a white hat covered by a gold scarf at Abu Dhabi's Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque, part of a massive marble complex that contains the tomb of the late Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the UAE after it gained statehood following more than 100 years as a British protectorate.

The queen, accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, and Emirati leaders, paused for a moment outside the mosque to remove her shoes. Her outfit for the visit also included white gloves and an ankle-length white dress and coat. She made no comments as journalists looked on.

WAM, the Emirates news agency, said the queen recalled Sheikh Zayed and toured the courtyard, marble columns and domes inside the mosque.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip also attended part of the Holy Quran recitation session for the mosque students, WAM said.

As the Supreme Governor of the Anglican Church, Queen Elizabeth is considered the first leader of another religion to officially visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, WAM said.

"This visit by the head of the Church of England to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is reflective of the multi-faith dialogue and tolerance that is common to both the UAE and UK," the British Embassy said.

-Snip-

Britain's historical links to the area stretch back to the 19th century. The UAE became a nation in 1971 after more than a century under British protection as part of a truce to protect ships sailing the important trade routes to India.

[Tennessee Nana]

the multi-faith dialogue and tolerance that is common to both the UAE and UK," the British Embassy said. ________________________________________

How cozy...

All those Anglican Churches in the UAE...

Oh thats right ...there are none...

Never mind...

[Tennessee Nana]

PING

[freekitty]

She doesn’t look very happy to me

[iowamark]

The UAE has a number of Catholic and Anglican churches. Catholic Bishop Paul Hinder, the apostolic vicar of Arabia, is based there.

[naturalman1975]

Holy Trinity Church, Dubai.

Not all the Middle Eastern Muslim nations have the same policies. The UAE allows Christians and others the right to worship and there are Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Coptic Orthodox churches in the country.

[Liz]

[onyx]

God save the Queen.
Geeeeeez.

[WesternCulture]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeP220xx7Bs

[streetpreacher]

She could have done that in Londonstan... let me know when she visits any Anglican church in the UAE or Saudi Arabia, then we’ll have a headline.

[streetpreacher]

Excuse me... Saudi then... either way, not newsworthy... unless she bowed to someone.

[Rummyfan]

....the multi-faith dialogue and tolerance that is common to both the UAE and UK," the British Embassy said.

Multifaith and tolerant unless of course you happen to be a Jew.

[Bulldawg Fan]

Looks like to me she was dressed for a sleigh ride.....

[PGalt]

C.I.A. factbook U.A.E.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ae.html

[PGalt]

From the factbook...

Muslim 96% (Shia 16%), other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4%

[Cronos]

Yes, TN is thinking of Saudia who are horrible people (you cannot even take a bible or crucifix into the country). Bahrain and the UAE allow the building of Churches but conversion from Islam to anything else is illegal. And anyone who proselytizes a Moslem can be imprisoned in the UAE.

[Cronos]

Do note that the 4% other are people who came there before independence in 1971 and are predominantly of Indian origin. It is illegal to convert from Islam in the UAE

Though, do note that out of the total residents in the UAE, only 15% are citizens -- they have a huge number of expatriates as there is 0 income tax. The majority of these expats are from India, the Philippines,the UK, Russia and Bangladesh and Pakistan

[sionnsar]

Thanks to Tennessee Nana for the ping. As noted, there are Christian churches there. (There are also Christian, even Anglican, churches in Iran.)

Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.

FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this low-volume ping list.
This list is pinged by sionnsar.

Resource for Traditional Anglicans: http://trad-anglican.faithweb.com
Humor: The Anglican Blue

Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15

[Cronos]

There are Anglican Churches in Iran?? I did not see any, but then I was mostly looking for Assyrian/Chaldean Catholic or Armenian Churches (these are OLD!! 1000+ years and gorgeous)