SimplyAbuDhabi XIV

4 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Sheikh Zayed and the Grand Mosque Throughout his lifetime, Sheikh Zayed adopted a tolerant version of pure Islamic faith far from fanaticism or extremism. For Zayed, Islam was the main source of instruction and guidance. He once said, "If people understand Islam properly they will achieve miracles.” Giving priority to moral values, Sheikh Zayed believed that developing a culture of tolerance is a project as deserving of attention and concern as any other great initiative. To him, tolerance is the evidence of a nation’s vitality and proof of its ability to achieve more advancement and progress. In his understanding human nature, Sheikh Zayed sought to promote a culture of tolerance that could reconcile the entire human race through an emphasis on the common bonds that link humankind together. As a result of his achievements in establishing the UAE, Sheikh Zayed was very much aware of the damaging impact of hostile dialogue on the future of humanity. This strengthened his admiration of the Islamic faith, the essence of which is based on respect of human beings regardless of their religion, colour, language, origin and traditions. “We should be proud of our religion because Islam is against all forms of racism”, said Zayed. “To stereotype a fellow human being is to deprive him of his humanity.” Sheikh Zayed’s enlightened vision came from the concept of diversity, which is deeply rooted in the essence of Arabic–Islamic civilisation. He believed that, despite a multiplicity of doctrines, religions, cultures and civilisations, people remain connected by common human bonds, united together regardless of differences. Today, this vision of diversity is manifested in the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a majestic marvel that reveals a spectrum of architectural splendours, formulating a harmonious unity between styles, regions, and eras. This historic Mosque, the spiritual heart of Abu Dhabi, personifies the Islamic message of peace, tolerance and diversity extolled by the late Sheikh and will forever remain the fruit of his unique vision. The Father of the UAE has created an Islamic monument, a centre for Islamic sciences and an emblem of genuine Islamic values, in order to further the horizons of Islamic thought rooted in tolerance, love and peace. The Mosque is an expression of a visionary leader who believed that nothing is impossible and who taught us that the most gracious achievements start from the heart.