ABU DHABI, (WAM) The UAE have shown the world a model of the Muslim state that is toolerant towards its people and other faiths, said US President George W. Bush.
The UAE founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has succeeded in building a country and a proseprous society out of the desert, said Bush in his speech at Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi where he started Sunday his visit to the UAE.
“You have encouraged your women to contribute to the development of your nation and they occupied some of the highestt ministrial posts”, Bush said to the high-profile audience which included the UAE President H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Bush dubbed the elelctions to the UAE Federal National Council as historic.
The US President attached extremists who he said “have hijacked Islam and hate your government and the United States.” Bush said the United States believes it is necessary for governments in the Middle East to open their economies and boost liberty and tolrence.
He criticized Iran for supporting Hezbollah, Hamas, Jihad and Taliban, Al Qaeda and its affiliates and extremist Shiites in Iraq which he said are spreading fear and destabilizing the region and security in respective countries. Extremists, he added, “hate freedom and equality, they hate your government because they do not hold the same extremist religious views.” He added that Taliban rules by intimidation and murder and is attempt acquiring weapons of mass destruction.
“Iran is destabilizing the region by refusing to open the nuclear programme to scrutiny”, stressed Bush.
“Reconciliation with your neighbors is the key to long-term peace in the region”, said the US President who called for religious tolerance and coexistence among Sunnis and Shiites.
When Iran embraces liberty and democracy, it will not find a better friend than the United States, stressed the US President.