Ramadan meeting of religious leaders highlights UAE values
Abu Dhabi is home to many nationalities; DCD’S role is to maintain social harmony and cohesion
The department of community dev el op ment(d cd) in Abu Dhabi hosted a Ramadan gathering and an Itar banquet at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for leaders of different religions and sects. The event aimed to highlight the humane values cherished by the Emirati society, such as tolerance, social cohesion, peace and dialogue.
Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of DCD, said: “The Ramadan gathering demonstrates the values and principles that bind us together. As a multicultural society, tolerance is imperative to peaceful coexistence. This is what Abu Dhabi stands for. One of the key pillars of DCD’S social agenda is to sharply focus on national values that embrace the richness of ethnic and religious diversity. This enables us to create a happy society and raise the quality of life in cooperation with our stakeholders.”
Pointing out that Abu Dhabi is home to many nationalities, he said that DCD’S role is to maintain social harmony and cohesion and ensure that everyone in the emirate enjoys a decent standard of living, in line with the organisation’s vision to provide a dignified life for all.
The religious leaders praised DCD’S initiative to host the gathering in the holy month that embodies all that is noble and peaceful. They noted that the department’s keenness to connect with different communities highlights its mission to create a happy and harmonious society, stressing that Ramadan gatherings symbolise Abu Dhabi’s strong commitment to the principles of coexistence and tolerance and to build bridges with the global community.
Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-general of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, commended the Department of Community Development for organising programmes that reflect Emirati society that underpins the values of coexistence and peace. He said: “The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre offers a plaform for intercultural and interfaith dialogue that supports its mission to build bridges between civilisations. We believe that such direct meetings and close interactions are the cornerstone to developing an understanding about each other and spread the message of unity and brotherhood.
About the Department of Community Development
The Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi (DCD) was established in 2018 to govern the social and community-development sector through a set of policies, strategies, systems, and standards. The Department aims to improve the quality of life in the emirate and provide a dignified life for all, through high-quality, impacful, and efficient services. One of DCD’S priorities is to raise awareness about social issues pertinent to Abu Dhabi and its people and find innovative solutions.
Recently, the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi announced that the quality of life indicators in the emirate show increased happiness and satisfaction rates.
This was announced on a day that coincides with the International Day of Happiness, on 20th March, and is considered one of the most important days declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recognising the importance of happiness as a key driver of the community, economy, and sustainable development.
Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili stated that caring for the community and enhancing the lifestyle leads to a beter quality of life and happiness. He stated that happiness should be considered one of the main factors for society’s well-being, in addition to socio-economic indicators.
The happiness and well-being index is one of the key quality of life indicators, which includes two basic criteria – life satisfaction and happiness. The results showed an increase in the happiness index by 7.8 per cent, from 7.17 to 7.727 points out of 10. The life satisfaction index increased by 6.68 per cent, from 6.68 to 7.1258 points. The work-life balance index (satisfied and very satisfied) saw an increase of up to 16 per cent, from 36.6 per cent to 52.6 per cent. The overall residence satisfaction in Abu Dhabi index (satisfied and very satisfied) increased from 67.9 per cent to 69.8 per cent, while the satisfaction with current housing income index increased from 33 per cent to 38.5 per cent.
Al Khaili added that the UAE and its wise leadership strives to solidify the concept of happiness and social well-being in citizens and residents.