Khaleej Times

UAE to study tolerance with global partners

- Sherouk Zakaria sherouk@khaleejtim­es.com

dubai — The Ministry of Tolerance launched on Thursday two key initiative­s that will help promote peaceful co-existence and fight extremism throughout the world.

During the opening of the World Tolerance Summit (WTS), Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Tolerance, unveiled the national research project for tolerance, which gathers experts across the world to study how pluralism can be strengthen­ed in societies, and a global tolerance alliance, which affirms everyone’s responsibi­lity in keeping social harmony.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresid­ent and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also attended the opening of the twoday summit, held for the first time in the UAE in line with the Internatio­nal Day of Tolerance.

In a tweet, Sheikh Mohammed said: “Today, I attended a part of the ‘World Tolerance Summit’. Personally, I do believe in the fact that tolerance is a human right. I do believe that tolerant peoples are world-class human peoples who deserve leadership. Perhaps, what our region may most need today is that their peoples, religious and cultural sects do tolerate themselves.”

Bringing together 1,500 personalit­ies, government leaders and peacemaker­s, the event bore the theme ‘Prospering from Pluralism: Embracing Diversity through Innovation and Collaborat­ion’.

Sheikh Nahyan explained that the national research project for tolerance would map out plans for spreading tolerance and happiness in societies.

“The project will gather researcher­s across the world in examining factors, conditions and work plans that help strengthen tolerance among individual­s, families, local communitie­s and the entire world,” he told the summit.

The minister also launched the global tolerance alliance, which affirms everyone’s responsibi­lity in keeping the harmony in societies.

Based in the UAE, the alliance will become a global coordinato­r for partnershi­ps among individual­s, organisati­ons, research centres, private enterprise­s and other institutio­ns.

Sheikh Nahyan noted that through these initiative­s, the UAE is bound to prove that “only successful pluralism, supported by useful research and positive dialogue, can guarantee a peaceful future for the world.”

Tolerance requires hard work and thrives on education, aware- ness and knowledge through all forms of communicat­ion, he said. “(It) comes with the creation of local and global entities that enhance hope and promote peace, prosperity and a dignified life for all.”

He called on leaders to take the summit as an opportunit­y to develop a collective action to achieve tolerance across the world.

“I call on you to work together to eradicate misunderst­andings; to make tolerance an area of entreprene­urship and innovation.”

Only successful pluralism, supported by useful research and positive dialogue, can guarantee a peaceful future for the world.” Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Tolerance

1,500 Personalit­ies, leaders and peacemaker­s attended the summit

 ??  ?? Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Nahyan and other dignitarie­s attend the first World Tolerance Summit in Dubai on Thursday. —Wam
Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Nahyan and other dignitarie­s attend the first World Tolerance Summit in Dubai on Thursday. —Wam
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Participan­ts share a light moment at the tolerance wall.
Participan­ts share a light moment at the tolerance wall.
 ?? — Photos by Shihab ?? Delegates check out the publicatio­ns on display at the event and leave their thumb marks on a peace mural.
— Photos by Shihab Delegates check out the publicatio­ns on display at the event and leave their thumb marks on a peace mural.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Arab Emirates