Abu Dhabi: The UAE on Sunday voiced its deep regret and shock at the comments made by Pope Benedict XVI about Islam.
The Cabinet, in a statement during the weekly meeting presided over by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said the pope's remarks were not in line with the policy followed by his predecessors, especially the late Pope John Paul II, which was based on respect for all religions.
The pope's lecture does not help in boosting dialogue between religions, cultures and civilisations but it serves as an obstacle to serious efforts that began years ago, the statement said.
The meeting was attended by Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister.
Later Mohammad Bin Nakhira Al Daheri, Minister of Justice, and Mohammad Hussain Al Sha'ali, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on Sunday received Father Francis, Secretary of Archbishop Paul, Vatican's Representative in Abu Dhabi. The ministers conveyed to Father Francis the Cabinet statement on the pope's remarks.
