Lebanese cardinal visits grand mosque, MIA

QNA/Doha

Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rai, accompanied by a delegation, yesterday visited the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). The patriarch and the delegation toured the pavilions of the museum, looking at  the different collections, which include metal and wood crafts, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, coins and glass. Following the tour, Patriarch Bechara signed the museum’s honorary record, expressing his pleasure and that of the accompanying delegation to visit such a great place. He also thanked Qatar for its keenness on enhancing the role of art and civilisation.   Cardinal al-Rai also visited Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab mosque as part of his current visit to the country. The patriarch was received at the mosque by HE the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak al-Kuwari. Patriarch Bechara was given a briefing about the mosque’s construction and architecture as well as its capacity, programmes and religious events. In statements to QNA, the patriarch expressed his pleasure at visiting Qatar and admiration of the mosque and its design, praying to God to make Qatar a land of love, peace and good for all the people. Asked about his meeting with HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Patriarch Bechara al-Rai expressed his admiration of the Emir’s openness and vision of peace in the Middle East. He pointed to the Emir’s keenness on the significance of coexistence among religions and the rejection of religion-based conflicts. He also underlined Qatar’s role in supporting Alliance of Civilizations and inter-religious dialogue.