Kemi Badenoch impressed by 'message of peace and tolerance' at UAE mosque

Kemi Badenoch in front of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which she called «impressive»; Photo: X/KEMI BADENOCH

Kemi Badenoch hailed the «message of peace and tolerance» she found during a visit to one of the world's largest mosques.

The Business Minister celebrated the «impressive» event. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the United Arab Emirates. She shared photos of her visit on social networks.

Ms Badenoch visited the Middle Eastern country last week to attend a World Trade Organization conference.

On Saturday she posted two photos on X (formerly Twitter) taken while visiting a mosque in Abu Dhabi. .

Named after the late president of the UAE, it was built between 1994 and 2007 and is the largest mosque in the country.

The highlight My trip included a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest in the world.

It is an impressive building.

The architecture and design draws inspiration from around the world, emphasizing a welcoming and profound message of peace and tolerance. pic.twitter.com/nYwJPLTAhq

— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) March 2, 2024

Ms Badenoch tweeted that visiting the mosque was the highlight of the trip. She added: “The architecture and design draws inspiration from around the world, emphasizing a welcoming and profound message of peace and tolerance.”

During the WTO conference, the business minister met with Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE's minister of economy, as well as his counterparts from other Gulf countries as part of the UK's efforts to secure a trade deal.

The visit came amid the UAE's bid for control of The Telegraph newspaper, with MPs from across the political spectrum raising concerns about the implications for free speech and UK foreign policy.

The visit follows controversy over “Islamophobia”

Government officials have have consistently said the takeover would not be discussed by ministers, who are in contact with UAE officials on other issues.

Ms Badenoch's visit also came after a row over the Conservatives' actions. accusations of Islamophobia following the suspension of Lee Anderson.

Last month, Ms Badenoch said the Tory party was using «the term 'anti-Muslim hatred'», arguing that the definition of Islamophobia used by Labor and other parties «creates the blasphemy law through the back door, if it is passed.”