The head of Catholics and Vatican President Francis recently arrived at Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, one of the Gulf States, for the first time at the invitation of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Francis was the first Catholic leader to visit the Gulf region.

Secretary-general of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Ali al-Qaradaghi issued a statement slammed the visit of Francis to the Gulf State.

"Our union supports communication, visits, and dialogue with religious and civil institutions," said Sheikh Ali al-Qaradaghi in the statement released on behalf of International Union of Muslim Scholars.

"However this visit Pope Francis to Abu Dhabi in the shadow of the suppressed freedoms, the backed coups and the hostile war against the will of the peoples, and the cruel blockade against a Muslim Arab state (Qatar) may be interpreted as an endorsement for the despotism and human rights violations," the statement read.

In his statement, Sheikh Ali al-Qaradaghi called on Francis to demand the UAE's rulers for the release of prisoners, the end of war and strife, and the removal of sanctions on the state of Qatar.

"The rulers of the UAE are in opposition to the slogan "the year of indulgence" that they spread to the world. At the same time, no tolerance is given to its citizens or to its guests of Riyadh and Qatar," al-Qaradaghi underlined.

As International Union of Muslim Scholars, al-Qaradaghi underscored that they support peace, communication, and dialogue among all religions in accordance with the message of Islam.

ILKHA