Abu Dhabi UAE
Prince Charles at Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Source: WAM

The United Kingdom's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla visited Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. The visit is seen as a nod of acknowledgement of the United Arab Emirates' efforts to promote religious tolerance. 

The UK's heir apparent also visited St. Joseph's Cathedral, one of two Roman Catholic churches in Abu Dhabi. 

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, led the tour of the mosque accompanied by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Bishop Paul Hinder of St. Joseph’s Cathedral.  

"The prince was able to speak to us and see the mutual tolerance which is reality in this country," Bishop Hinder said, according to The National.

"It doesn’t happen all over the world that we can meet in such a place in such a formation. Living and seeing this reality has an impact."

Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, visited the mosque for the first time in 2007 while it was still under construction. 

The visit is part of a regional tour. The couple have already visited Oman and plan to finish the tour in Bahrain.

In Abu Dhabi, Prince Charles will also swing by the Bu Tinah archipelago, a wildlife preserve, and attend a celebration at Jahili Fort in Al Ain. He will also be at a youth circle in Masdar City.