Pope Tawadros II Hosts Fujairah Crown Prince in Cairo, Discussing Interfaith Harmony and Shared Values

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OCP News Service – 21/05/2025

Cairo – Egypt: His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, received His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, along with his accompanying delegation, at the Papal Residence in Cairo. This marked the Crown Prince’s inaugural visit to the Coptic Orthodox Church headquarters and to Egypt, underscoring the strong bilateral ties between the two nations.

Pope Tawadros II extended a warm welcome, expressing appreciation for the UAE’s steadfast care for Coptic Church members residing within its borders. He provided an overview of the Coptic Orthodox Church’s origins, founded in the first century by Saint Mark, noting Alexandria’s historical significance as the first African city to embrace Christianity. His Holiness clarified that the Coptic Church, a national institution, focuses on societal service, particularly through education and instilling values of goodness, peace, and love, rather than engaging in politics. He also highlighted the robust and positive relationship the Church maintains with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Egyptian government, Al-Azhar Institution, and its Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, emphasizing that these relationships are built on love. The Pope lauded the UAE’s progressive approach to religious tolerance and cultural openness, which has fostered the flourishing of the Coptic Church there, and acknowledged Egypt’s rich tapestry of civilizations.

For his part, the Crown Prince of Fujairah conveyed his happiness at meeting Pope Tawadros, commending His Holiness’s humanitarian and spiritual leadership. He underscored that the true mission of religion lies in caring for and supporting humanity, and referenced the Pope’s courageous stance during Egypt’s 2013 crisis, acknowledging his leadership when many churches were targeted. His Highness emphasized the vital roles of both the Coptic Church and Al-Azhar in upholding core human values and highlighted the principle of human fraternity as a tangible reality in the UAE. He called for intensified efforts to promote awareness of shared human values as a crucial tool in combating ignorance and extremism. The Crown Prince also congratulated Pope Tawadros on the upcoming 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, recognizing its historical significance and the substantial role of Arab region churches in it. He reaffirmed the importance of multi-faceted efforts to foster mutual understanding and strengthen relationships between societies and peoples by raising awareness, uncovering shared histories, and highlighting commonalities.

Following the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad inscribed a message in the VIP guestbook. The delegation then toured St. Mark Cathedral, learning about its history, components, and significant events, and also visited the Botroseya Church, which was rapidly rebuilt by the Egyptian state after the 2016 bombing.

Accompanying the Crown Prince were H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi, President of the Arab Parliament; Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, Director of the Crown Prince’s Office; and Mr. Hamdan Karam, Director of the Private Office of the Crown Prince of Fujairah. Coptic Church officials present included H.G. Bishop Yolios, Fr. Mina Hanna, Monk Fr. Emmanuel Al-Muharraqy, Fr. Mousa Ibrahim, Ms. Barbara Soliman, and Deacon Joseph Reda.

Source: Coptic Orthodox