February 9, 2019

UAE: UAE’s Gender Equality Awards Won Entirely By Men. Pope Francis Praises UAE As “Model Of Coexistence” With “Respect For Diversity”. UAE Report On Treatment Of Christians In Country.

Jihad Watch
news shared by Robert Spencer
Thursday January 31, 2019

Here is more of that “respect for diversity” in the UAE that the Pope is so excited about.

The Guardian News, UK
written by Bethan McKernan
January 28, 2019

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have been ridiculed after it emerged that all of the winners of an initiative designed to foster gender equality in the workplace were men.

Certificates and medals were awarded by Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the vice-president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, in the categories of “best government entity supporting gender balance”, “best federal authority supporting gender balance” and “best gender balance initiative” at a ceremony on Sunday.

The awards went to the finance ministry, the federal competitiveness and statistics authority and ministry of human resources respectively, which were all represented by male awardees.

The deputy prime minister and minister of the interior, Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed al-Nahyan, was recognised as the “best personality supporting gender balance” for his efforts to implement maternity leave in the UAE’s military….

The UAE’s Gender Balance Index awards recognise progress made in the public sector over the last year in meeting parity goals set by the government in 2015.

“We are proud of the success of Emirati women and their role is central to shaping the future of the country,” a tweet from the official Dubai media office said. “Gender balance has become a pillar in our government institutions.”…

However, according to rights groups, gender discrimination is still an entrenched problem across the UAE, particularly in the legal system, which prioritises men’s rights in family and personal status matters such as marriage, divorce and custody of children. UAE law also permits domestic violence as long as the assault does not exceed the limits set by Islamic law.
Catholic News
Pope Francis praises UAE as “model of coexistence” with “respect for diversity”
January 31, 2019

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — “Al Salamu Alaikum,” Arabic for “peace be with you,” Pope Francis said at the beginning of a video message to the people of the United Arab Emirates, which he will visit Feb. 3-5.

“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,” Pope Francis said.

Foreign workers and other expatriates account for about 80 percent of the population in the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven emirates on the southeast edge of the Arabian Peninsula. The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, which includes the emirates, Oman and Yemen, estimates almost 1 million of those foreigners are Catholic.

Pope Francis’ video message was released by the Vatican Jan. 31, just days before he was set to visit Abu Dhabi for meetings with Muslim leaders and a large public Mass Feb. 5 for the region’s Catholics.

The main interreligious meeting Feb. 4 was to include Egyptian Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, a major leader among Sunni Muslims. Calling him a “friend and dear brother,” Pope Francis thanked the sheik and all those involved in planning the meeting for having “the courage and desire to affirm that faith in God unites and does not divide, draws together even in differences (and) moves away from hostility and aversion.”
Open Doors USA
Serving Persecuted Christians Worldwide


Christian converts face penalties

Because Islam dominates public life, Christian converts often lose their inheritance and parental rights, are forced to marry, are fired or are required to work for free. To avoid the death penalty or other penalties, Christian converts often feel like they must hide their faith or flee to another country due to fears of Christian persecution. Evangelism is also prohibited, but non-Muslims can worship in dedicated buildings or private homes.

How Christians are suffering

Christian expatriates are free to worship in private, but the government does not allow them to evangelize or pray in public. Converts from Islam endure the most persecution as they face pressure from family members and the local community to recant their Christian faith. This makes it almost impossible for converts to reveal their conversion and explains why there are hardly any reports of Christians being killed or harmed for their faith.

Examples

Converts from Islam to Christianity (both national or migrant) continue to face high pressure from their families, employers and society. Losing inheritance and parental rights, being forced to marry, being fired or placed under pressure to work for “free” are all possible consequences for these converts. Many flee the Emirates and seek asylum in another country.

There are too few churches in the United Arab Emirates to meet the demands. Especially since it has become harder to use non-designated buildings like hotels and schools for gatherings, which was tolerated before. Although the ruling Emirati families donated land for church buildings, it remains difficult to establish new churches.

Posted by Princess Mononoke at 4:27 PM

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