His Excellency Santiago Peña, the President of Paraguay, along with First Lady Leticia Ocalditia de Peña, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by His Excellency Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, the Foreign Minister of Paraguay, and Her Excellency Dr. Baraan Hamad Mubarak Alhababi, the UAE Ambassador to Paraguay, alongside Her Excellency Caroline Counter López, the Paraguayan Ambassador to the UAE, along with their delegation.
The visit commenced with a tour of the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, where the President and his delegation reflected on his legacy and wise approach that established the foundations of a culture of tolerance, coexistence, and peace among various peoples worldwide.
Under the guidance of His Excellency Dr. Yusuf Al Obaidli, the Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center, the group explored the halls and outdoor areas of the mosque, learning about its message of coexistence and openness to others, inspired by the values of the founding father. They also discovered the significant role the mosque plays in promoting the understanding of Islamic culture and enhancing civilizational dialogue between cultures globally. The delegation was informed about the mosque’s history, its architectural beauty, and the exemplary features of Islamic architecture displayed throughout, showcasing the unique treasures and artistic designs that reflect the harmonious blend of various cultures in a single artistic masterpiece.
During the visit, President Santiago Peña expressed, “It is a great honor for me to participate and be here; it is a spiritual occasion for us to build bridges between our cultures and peoples.”
At the conclusion of the visit, the mosque presented the President with a gift that reflects the mosque’s aesthetics, including a compass inspired by its chandeliers, along with a copy of the book “Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: A Flow of Peace,” the center’s latest publication, which highlights the unique architectural art of the mosque and takes readers on a visual journey to appreciate its architectural beauty through a collection of award-winning photographs from the “Spaces of Light” competition.