Pope Praises UAE, Known For Torture And Disappearances, For Striving For Freedom And Diversity

[Swordsmyth]

Pope Francis hailed the United Arab Emirates, a majority-Muslim nation with a record of human rights violations, as a “model of coexistence” and freedom.
Francis made the comments in a video message to the people of the UAE ahead of his visit to the country, which will take place between Feb. 3 and 5.
The UAE is known for restricting free speech and assembly, sentencing criminals to flogging and stoning per Sharia law, and for the torture and forced disappearances of dissidents, activists and journalists, as well as negligence in addressing instances of sexual abuse against domestic workers.

The pontiff praised the country for striving to be a place where people can “find a secure place to work and live freely in respect for diversity.”
“I am happy that in a few days I will be able to visit your country, a land that strives to be a model of coexistence, human brotherhood and encounter among different civilizations and cultures where many find a secure place to work and live freely in respect for diversity,” the pope said, according to Catholic News Service.
Emirati authorities stand accused of pursuing and abducting activists and their supporting family members in 2014 for demanding a Democratic reforms process. The Arab Organization for Human Rights in the U.K. also produced a study in 2014 detailing several cases of reported abductions and the grisly methods of torture that Emirati authorities reportedly used on detainees, including severe beatings, ripping fingernails off and confinement inside a coffin for hours.

Other human rights violations reportedly committed by Emirati authorities include Sheikh Issa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s videoed 2009 torture of a man, using electric shocks, planks with nails driven through them, whips, and running him over with a car, and the 2012 arrest and torture of three British citizens. Amnesty International also called for a war crimes probe in 2018 into UAE-run prisons in Yemen.

More at: https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/31/pope-francis-united-arab-emirates/

 

[r3volution 3.0]

Economic Freedom Index:

UAE = 9th
US = 12th

https://www.heritage.org/index/ranking

...I'm a little surprised that Red Francis is a fan, but that'll work.

 

[Swordsmyth]

Economic Freedom Index:

UAE = 9th
US = 12th

https://www.heritage.org/index/ranking

...I'm a little surprised that Red Francis is a fan, but that'll work.

Is there any kind of liberty you wouldn't trade for filthy lucre?

The US needs to improve its economic liberty but the UAE is a totalitarian nightmare.

As an open borders fanatic you should particularly object to their immigration policies.

 

[RonZeplin]

Pope Francis will be using a popemobile to bless the faithful

UAE all set to welcome Pope Francis

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, said in a video message that the upcoming visit of Pope Francis is "an honour" to the country.

"Pope Francis will be visiting a nation that has learned the instrumental value of tolerance. We Emiratis welcome the world to the United Arab Emirates," said Sheikh Nahyan.

The Pope's visit will include a meeting with the Crown Prince, meeting with the Muslim Council of Elders and the Head of Grand Imam of Al Azhar and a Papal Mass at Zayed Sports City.

Pope Francis will be using a popemobile to bless the faithful, allowing a large number of faithful seated outside the Zayed Sports City to see him.

Massive preparations underway

Nearly 135,000 people are expected to attend the papal Mass on Tuesday and massive preparations are under way to arrange the logistics of transporting people to the venue. The government has declared February 5 as a holiday for the private sector employees with tickets to attend the Mass in Abu Dhabi.

Catholic churches across the UAE are also abuzz with thousands of faithful queuing up to collect their tickets. And dozens of volunteers are helping in the distribution of tickets and other arrangements within the churches.

Faithful brimming with excitement

Faithful who have got their tickets for papal Mass shared their excitement with Khaleej Times saying "it is a once in a life-time opportunity to see the Pope".

For the UAE's nearly one million Catholics, attending the Mass conducted by Pope "is like being in God's presence" as it is the Holiest form of worship.
Indian mother of two, Jude Kishore said "it is a blessing to breathe the same air" with the Pope.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/general/uae-all-set-to-welcome-pope-francis-

 

[AngryCanadian]

Ah Yes the agenda of Diversity.