From the United Arab Emirates, from Qatar, and also from East Timor, from Malaysia and from Syria. Many young people from the Islamic countries of the Middle East and Asia are being hosted in the German diocese for the twinning initiatives that take place before the WYD of Cologne (16-21 August). "We are here in Essen says Sir Jomy Abraham, 37, of Indian origin, but who lives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and who speaks on behalf of his friends from Qatar and from Saudi Arabia to take part in the Youth arise international festival. There are sixty of us from various Countries of the Arab peninsula. It is wonderful to feel we are part of the universal Catholic Church. And we are here also because for once we can feel that we are not a minority. Having around us hundreds of thousands of young people with whom we share our faith strengthens us and allows us to look to the future with hope". A future made of dialogue, as the young man from the UAE hopes: "In the Emirates we can pray only in our church and not outside. We cannot carry our sacred books with us which must be kept in the places of worship. Praying at home or in the family, provided it is done in small groups, is tolerated. But in spite of this we are convinced that dialogue with the Islamic world is possible because we have the same roots in common. We must rediscover what unites us".
