When Pope Tawadros II, the 118th Coptic pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark walked into St Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church to deliver his first mass in a Gulf country hundreds were queuing outside. TV screens were placed in adjoining halls to allow those who couldn't get into the church a chance to hear the mass. The pope's five-day visit was seen by many as a gesture of gratitude to the UAE which supported Egypt's overthrow of Muslim Brotherhood president Mohamed Morsi a year ago. Many Egyptian expatriates who live in Al-Ain, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah converged on Abu Dhabi to see the Tawadros who became head of the Coptic Church in November 2012. On Friday he gave a lecture at Al-Raha Beach Theatre in Abu Dhabi during which he lavished praise on the UAE authorities for their unfailing support of Egypt and their promotion of religious tolerance. “I came to thank the UAE and its ruling family, government and people for … the stalwart support they offered to Egypt as it went through a period of immense change. You have backed us in the spirit of brotherly love which goes to show that the true mettle of friends becomes known only in times of need,” said Tawadros. “You have shown yourselves to be true brothers through your unflagging care for all Egyptians working in your country. This care is so pervasive and the evidence of your great tolerance is illustrated by your efforts to help and take care of Christians.” On Sunday Pope Tawadros inaugurated the altar in Mar Mina Church in the port town of Jebel Ali and led a mass. During the visit, termed “historic” in the Arab media, the head of the Coptic Church met high ranking UAE officials, including Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi's heir apparent. Anba Bishoy, Bishop of the Church of St Anthony Church in Abu Dhabi, also praised the country's religious tolerance. “The policy of religious tolerance and the ability to spread the values of love and peace in the UAE show deep understanding of the true principles of Islam,” Bishoy told Al-Ahram Weekly. An estimated 500,000 Christians live in the UAE. The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait offered Egypt billions of dollars in aid after the removal of Mohamed Morsi from power last summer.
