Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi (MS)

Abu Dhabi, Jan 30: Employees working in private sector in UAE, who have the permits to participate in the Papal Mass, will be given a day's holiday on February 5. The Mass is scheduled take place at Zayed Sports City in the capital during the visit of the head of Roman Catholic Church.

In a statement given by the ministry of human resources and emiratisation of UAE on Wednesday, January 30, Pope Francis will be on a visit to UAE from February 3 to 5.

The ministry spokesperson said that this holiday is given to the concerned employees of the private sector in order to facilitate participation in the Mass.

This declaration of holiday shows the commitment of UAE in furthering its acceptance of all religions during the Year of Tolerance that is celebrated by the government of UAE.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces has invited Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic church to the country to propagate the inter-faith dialogue.

The Pope will also participate in the 'International Interfaith Meeting on Human Fraternity'. This is the first Papal visit of a Catholic Pope to the Arabian Peninsula, which exhibits the open mindedness of the UAE authorities in giving the constitutional right to all the residents in their country to practice their religion without any fear.

UAE is observing a National Tolerance Programme and the UAE Charter of Tolerance, Co-existence and Peace, which has boosted the tolerance and harmonious co-existence of people from almost 168 nationalities residing in the country.

This programmed is structured to further the values founded by the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyand and other founding fathers of UAE.