Khaleej Times

Community celebrates Pakistan Day with values of tolerance

- Staff Reporter asmaalizai­n@khaleejtim­es.com

dubai — The upcoming not-forprofit Pakistan Medical Centre in Dubai was showcased as a model of tolerance.

The Pakistan Associatio­n Dubai held an event on Wednesday evening to mark Pakistan Day — which is celebrated on March 23 — and to take part in the UAE’s Year of Tolerance.

The event was graced by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance; Moazzam Ali Khan, Pakistan Ambassador to the UAE; senior officials from the Dubai government; and diplomats.

“As we celebrate the National Day of Pakistan together, we also celebrate in the UAE our admiration for Pakistan and its people,” said Sheikh Nahyan. “We in the UAE have always admired the achievemen­ts of Pakistan. Your country has so creatively managed the education of its youth, tended to the needs and aspiration­s of its communitie­s, and engaged in constructi­ve dialogue with all elements of its diverse population, and with countries around the world. We are proud to call Pakistan our brother and our friend, with whom we have enjoyed a long, harmonious and productive relationsh­ip,” he said.

“In combining your celebratio­n of Pakistan’s National Day with our celebratio­ns of the Year of Tolerance, you are, in fact, celebratin­g the values and principles that unite the peoples of Pakistan and the UAE. We are committed to engaging people different from ourselves

We are proud to call Pakistan our brother and our friend, with whom we have enjoyed a long, harmonious and productive relationsh­ip.” Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance

in useful conversati­on, and to value other people by their actions, not their nationalit­y, religion, ethnicity, gender or culture,” he added.

He also hailed the initiative in establishi­ng the Pakistan Medical Centre and commended the spirit of tolerance that will be at the heart of its operations.”

Ahmad Julfar, director-general of the Community Developmen­t Authority (CDA), said that launching this healthcare facility comes as an honourable example of tolerance. “It presents the social cohesion in a very nice way and shows the power of people in creating happiness for others and changing their lives for better,” Julfar said, adding that the CDA works closely with the social clubs and associatio­ns like Pakistan Associatio­n to reinforce their role in Dubai community and to allow them to play the vital role expected from them to support the social developmen­t that they will always be part of.

The Pakistan Medical Centre has partnered with Dar Al Ber Society as its charity partner for garnering support for its project.

“Healthcare plays an integral role in social reconstruc­tion of the society and we are happy to assist everyone through the not-forprofit healthcare facility,” said Dr Faisel Ikram, president of PAD.

“The plot of land was a gift from the late His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and we would like to take forward his vision of giving back to the society by having a facility that will benefit one and all,” added Dr Ikram.

The Minister of Tolerance also acknowledg­ed various medical partners who will be providing services for the medical centre.

 ?? Supplied photo ?? Sheikh Nahyan with other dignitarie­s at the Pakistan Day event in Dubai. —
Supplied photo Sheikh Nahyan with other dignitarie­s at the Pakistan Day event in Dubai. —

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