Daijiworld Media Network

Sharjah, Jun 17: In a significant gesture of promoting interfaith tolerance and harmony, a church at Sharjah hosted Iftar for approximately 400 workers on Wednesday. Besides, the volunteers from the Church also distributed Iftar meals to motorists and the needy near Sharjah Central Souq during the holy month of Ramadan.

This is for the second consecutive year that the St Michael's Church has taken the initiative to promote brotherhood and tolerance with their Muslim counterparts, the Church authorities said.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Priest Wissam Al Massa'deh said that it is the duty of the church to host such feast during Ramadan in a country that respects and appreciates the dignity of humans.

"We are so happy to welcome our Muslim brothers, in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere where two great faiths come together to share love, brotherhood and forgiveness...We are situated in the land of giving and goodness. So we are duty bound to contribute to the spirit of tolerance by hosting Iftar for our Muslim brothers. This initiative is in appreciation of the tolerance and brotherhood that prevails in UAE, a country that respects and appreciates the dignity of humans." Al Massa' deh said.

Following the Azaan (call for prayer) from the Church, all the Muslims offered Maghrib prayers.

Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Chairman of Government Relations of the Sharjah government - who participated at the Iftar said that the Church's gesture represents that UAE has succeeded in spreading the principles of tolerance, acceptance and forgiveness. "Especially in the midst of the ongoing crisis in Arab world, the sharing of meals by Muslims and Christians indicated that UAE is a role model of tolerance... the values that were practiced by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan."

The efforts by the Sarjah based church were also appreciated by others - Fahad Abdulllah Fahad, a Muslim worker who could not contain his excitement for being inside the Church for the first time. Another worker, Farman Barakat Ali, claimed amazement to listen to Azan been given from the Church.