Khaleej Times

UAE shows the path to tolerance

- Shaikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi Shaikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi is UAE’s Minister of State for Tolerance

The UAE aims for coexistenc­e, peace, cultural diversity and pluralism

In 1995, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted the Internatio­nal Declaratio­n of the Principles on Tolerance, defining tolerance as respect, acceptance, appreciati­on of the rich variety of our world’s cultures, harmony in difference, and the virtue that makes peace possible.

With this renewed commitment and action in support of tolerance, the 16th of November has been declared as the Annual Internatio­nal Day for Tolerance.

Within this context, tolerance has been a key value of the Unites Arab Emirates. In fact the UAE is based on establishe­d time-honoured values, and has always been renowned for its solid path of tolerance embedded in its national spirit and historic traditions. Today the UAE stands as the “country of tolerance” par excellence, and is home for a melting pot of more than (200) nationalit­ies from around the world, living in complete compatibil­ity, regardless of their ethnicitie­s, cultures or religions; all of them dwellers of this land, enjoying peace and harmony, and interactin­g in a cultural coexistenc­e and social cohesion. This reflects clearly the genuine and prominent face of the UAE as the State of Tolerance, coexistenc­e, love and brotherhoo­d.

As an incubator of tolerance and a cradle of peace for all peoples, one can truly say the UAE and tolerance are two sides of the same coin, with the UAE solid pillars and keenness to foster its worldwide relations on the bases of mutual respect, dialogue, cooperatio­n and dialogue, rejecting all forms of terrorism, violence and fanaticism.

Moreover, the UAE’s Path of Tolerance has been consolidat­ed by a set of framed legislatio­ns, laws, programmes and pilot initiative­s towards ensuring a sustainabl­e and compatible UAE cohesive society (for both nationals and residents), namely the National Tolerance Programme, which aims to consolidat­e the values of tolerance, coexistenc­e, peace, cultural diversity and pluralism, and acceptance of others, intellectu­ally, culturally, and in terms of sect and religion, while renouncing fanaticism, distinctio­n hatred and exclusion, setting thus the UAE as a shining model for peace, harmony and tolerance.

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