In a powerful demonstration of religious harmony, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended Christmas celebrations at Abu Dhabi’s Coptic Orthodox Church on January 6, 2026. The event marked a significant moment in the nation’s ongoing commitment to interfaith dialogue and cultural diversity.
The minister’s participation in the traditional Christmas observance highlighted the UAE’s distinctive approach to fostering mutual respect among different religious communities. During his address, Sheikh Nahyan extended warm Christmas greetings to congregants and conveyed special regards to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Father Bishoy Fakhry, Pastor of St. Anthony’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, expressed profound appreciation for the UAE leadership’s consistent promotion of tolerance values. He noted that the minister’s presence symbolized the country’s deeply ingrained principles of religious acceptance and human fraternity.
Sheikh Nahyan’s speech emphasized the UAE’s pride in its authentic Islamic heritage that actively encourages respect among all faith traditions. “We present to the world a distinguished model of human tolerance and peaceful coexistence for the benefit of all,” he stated, underscoring the nation’s vision of building a cohesive society through interreligious understanding.
The minister further articulated how prayer and spiritual reflection serve as essential components in creating robust social frameworks. He characterized the Christmas celebration as evidence of the UAE’s conviction that diverse religious practices contribute significantly to national strength and global harmony.
This gathering also highlighted the strong bilateral relations between Egypt and the UAE, with Sheikh Nahyan describing the event as a living embodiment of the flourishing connection between the two nations. He extended messages of peace and fraternity to the Egyptian community residing in the UAE and expressed optimism for continued progress in inter-Arab cooperation.
The Christmas celebration at the Coptic Orthodox Church stands as a testament to the UAE’s evolving social landscape, where religious diversity is not merely tolerated but actively embraced as a cornerstone of national identity and international diplomacy.