UAE leads by example in promoting tolerance
The UAE is the epitome of religious pluralism, where people respect the otherness of others. Freedom of religion here is a cultural construct that embodies shared conception of how various religious communities relate with each other and the nation. While culture and religion can be associated or intertwined in some instances, pluralism can be viewed as independent and varying approaches of attaining a comparable objective with focus on universality of its acceptability and omitting subjective norms.
The UAE has been an open country widely embraced by locals, residents and visitors. It’s evident as around 200 nationalities live in mutual amiability. With strong adherence to the Emirati values and traditions and keeping pace with today’s social and technological customs, the country has been very welcoming in cultivating an inter-cultural convening place for work or leisure wherein individuality is regarded and inclusivism is encouraged.
These initiatives were best manifested by pioneering first-of-its-kind Ministers of Tolerance and Happiness — an innovative way of incorporating values at the very centre of a futuristic approach in governance. Strong advocacy is also well placed in the rule of law by enacting the Anti-discrimination law that criminalises all forms of discrimination on the grounds of religion, caste, creed, doctrine, race, colour or ethnic origin.
Religious pluralism is a part of life here, and is encouraged by the leadership. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, recently renamed The Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Mosque in Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, to Mariam, Umm Eisa — the Arabic for ‘Mary, the mother of Jesus’ breaking barriers of exclusivity. Another example of tolerance and community acceptance is the grant of 25,400 sqft of land by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to the Sikh community for free for building the Gurudwara Sikh temple, which I am blessed to be a part of.
The basis of Sikhism lies in the teachings of Guru Nanak and his successors, and dates back to more than 540 years. Guru Nanak Devji promoted unity
The Sikh temple has also been promoting and celebrating the spirit of togetherness with various events
and harmony among people, introduced free community kitchen called Guru ka Langar (community meals). We follow the same principle in the Gurudwara where free food is served to all throughout the day. We serve 1,500 people on a daily basis and 15,000 on Fridays. This is our commitment to society. As a practice, it is followed by Sikhs all over the world. If all religious institutions start serving free meals then there will be no poverty in the world.
The Sikh temple has also been promoting and celebrating the spirit of togetherness with various events. In September, we observed the UN International Day of Peace. In April, Gurudwara served breakfast to more than 600 attendees of 101 nationalities. The event was in line with the Year of Giving proclamation of the UAE. Last year, in February, Gurudwara hosted the UN World Inter-Faith Harmony Day conference. It was the inaugural interfaith conference in the UAE under the patronage of Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Community Development and under the umbrella of the United Nations’ World Interfaith Harmony Week. The event brought together local and international leaders from faith groups, universities, businesses, NGOs, and public institutions that discussed the contribution of faith traditions and explored ways to work together in building peaceful homes and strong families.
On a yearly basis, Gurudwara is also sustaining cooperation and joint service initiatives along with other faith groups. During the holy month of Ramadan, iftar is served and shared in the temple along with our Muslim brothers and sisters. Blankets, hygiene kits and food packs are distributed to bluecollar workers in cooperation with institutions of other faiths. It is said that if one cannot see God in all, then he or she cannot see God at all. Similarly, if goodness cannot be seen in a human being then goodness will never be seen in the humanity. If we detach ourselves from our egos and broaden our blinkered views, compassion, love and peace will have its place in each and every one of us and in this world.