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Yoon Suk Yeol, President of The Republic of Korea, and first lady Kim Keon Hee tour the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on Jan 15, 2023. Image Credit: WAM

Abu Dhabi: Yoon Suk Yeol, President of The Republic of Korea, accompanied by First Lady Kim Keon Hee, on Sunday visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (SZGM).

He was accompanied by Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth; Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Korea, and a number of top officials in Korea, as part of his official visit to the country.

The Korean President and his accompanying delegation began their tour with a visit to the final resting place of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and recalled the Founding Father’s qualities and wise approach that enriched the culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among various nations of the world.

Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC), accompanied them on a tour of the mosque’s halls and external corridors.

During the tour, they were briefed about the mosque’s noble message that highlights notions of coexistence, tolerance, and openness to other cultures, inspired by the nation’s late founder’s rich legacy, and about the mosque’s leading role in highlighting the Islamic culture’s true essence and promoting cross-cultural communication worldwide.

At the end of the visit, the guest was presented with two of the Centre’s distinctive publications.

The first titled “Spaces of Light,” showcasing the winning photographs in the “Spaces of Light” photography award, annually organised by the Centre in celebration of the scenic aesthetics and visual culture of the mosque, and another copy of a book titled “Houses of God” about places of worship in the Islamic history.

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Tribute paid to UAE martyrs

The Korean President and his accompanying delegation also paid a visit to Abu Dhabi’s national and cultural landmark, Wahat Al Karama, that commemorates the sacrifices and heroic deeds of the UAE martyrs to defend their homeland and protect it.

Upon his arrival, the Korean President and his accompanying delegation were welcomed by Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Executive Director of the Martyrs' Families' Affairs Office.

He attended the Guard of Honour ceremony, and then laid a wreath at the Martyrs' Monument, which is made up of 31 panels leaning on one another, signifying the unity, solidarity and mutual support that bind together the leadership, the citizens and the servicemen.

The Korean President was accompanied by Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and head of honorary mission accompanying the country's guest; Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, and Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Korea.

During his tour, he listened to a detailed explanation by Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan about the different sections in Wahat Al Karama, which embodies the bravery and heroism of UAE martyrs, as well as the nation’s noble values.

The tour ended with a word written by the President of Korea, expressing his utmost respect and appreciation for the brave martyrs of the UAE.