A grand gesture

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed’s order to change the name of a mosque in the capital to Mariam Umm Eisa or Mary, Mother of Jesus Mosque is a far-reaching and unique gesture, underlining this country’s commitment to tolerance and to inter-faith dialogue and understanding. The mosque is just steps away from St Andrew’s Church. Rev Canon Andrew Thompson, senior Anglican chaplain, hailed the renaming as a “lovely gesture”.

But more than that, it is a grand educational call for the many who are unaware that Jesus is one of the prophets of Islam and his mother, Mary, one of its four leading women – with an entire chapter devoted to her in the Quran (and also one for Joseph).

In a world of seemingly ever increasing intolerance and intransigence, this remarkable gesture sends out a powerful message to the broad international community that the UAE is a beacon of tolerance and understanding in a region that is too often racked by conflict and chaos.

Brief scores:

Toss: Kerala Knights, opted to fielf

Pakhtoons 109-5 (10 ov)

Fletcher 32; Lamichhane 3-17

Kerala Knights 110-2 (7.5 ov)

Morgan 46 not out, Stirling 40

Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

Stage: Series A

Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors

Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.