Best feet forward as Sheikh Abdullah opens National Festival of Tolerance
▶ Minister leads walk in the park to open initiative aimed at raising awareness about coexistence
A festival to celebrate a culture of tolerance, harmony and coexistence among the dozens of nationalities living in the UAE was launched on Friday.
The inaugural National Festival of Tolerance commenced with the Walk of Tolerance in Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, led hundreds of people of all backgrounds in a show of solidarity.
The two-kilometre Walk Unified event, an initiative held by the local organising committee of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, will return every month in Umm Al Emarat Park in the lead-up to the games in March.
It was the first of more than 100 events planned as part of the festival, which is designed to promote the Ministry of Tolerance’s mission to raise public awareness about acceptance and understanding.
“The main aim of this programme is to encourage and qualify all categories and individuals of our community to use their potential in spreading the values of tolerance, respect, coexistence and harmony among all UAE citizens and residents to achieve happiness and prosperity for all,” said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, the Minister of Tolerance.
The week-long festival will include the Tolerance Cricket Championship, children’s literature workshops and the Tolerance Research Forum for academics and researchers, organisers said.
“It is also an initiative of recognition towards our visionary leaders who have managed to build the UAE as a role model for tolerance and peaceful coexistence that gains the respect and appreciation of the whole world,” Sheikh Nahyan said.
“That shows the UAE’s determination to continuously seek ways to open dialogue and spread the culture of peace and coexistence in all sectors.
“Such success achieved by the Ministry of Tolerance would not be possible without the support of all the entities and segments of society.”
The festival is being held under the theme On Zayed’s Approach in honour of the efforts of the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, to encourage social cohesion and instill the values the event celebrates.
“We are organising the National Tolerance Festival under the theme On Zayed’s Approach as a symbol of appreciation to our leaders for their confidence in the ministry to achieve its duties and responsibilities in the serving society in our beloved country,” Sheikh Nahyan said.
That shows the UAE’s determination to spread the culture of peace and coexistence SHEIKH ABDULLAH BIN ZAYED Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation