UAE Highlights Efforts to Protect Religious Sites at Congress of World and Traditional Religions in Astana
Astana, The Gulf Observer: Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, participated in a special session on the protection of religious sites, held on the sidelines of the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana, Kazakhstan. The congress is being held under the theme “Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for a Better Future.”
In his address, Dr. Al Darei emphasized that the UAE’s efforts to safeguard places of worship for all religions, sects, and cultures—both domestically and internationally—reflect the nation’s values of peaceful coexistence and its dedication to strengthening interfaith cooperation. He noted that this inclusive approach, based on guaranteeing freedom of religious practice and preventing discrimination, has been a guiding principle of the UAE’s leadership since the era of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Dr. Al Darei further highlighted the UAE’s role in international cultural preservation efforts, citing its active participation on 2 September in the reopening of several reconstructed cultural and heritage sites in Mosul. The restoration projects, funded by the UAE in partnership with UNESCO and the European Union, form part of the “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative.
Since signing the agreement with Iraq and UNESCO, the UAE has remained committed to restoring key landmarks, including the Great Mosque of Al-Nuri and its iconic Al-Hadba Minaret, as well as the Al-Tahera and Al-Sa’aa churches, underscoring its contribution to safeguarding shared human heritage.
