Tolerance initiatives
His Highness Sheikh Khalifa declared 2019 a year of tolerance in the United Arab Emirates. This declaration aims to highlight the UAE as a global capital of tolerance and to emphasize the value of tolerance as an extension of the approach of the country’s founder.
Tolerance Year
On 15 December 2018, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa declared 2019 in the United Arab Emirates a year of tolerance. This declaration aims to highlight the United Arab Emirates as a world capital of tolerance, to emphasize the value of tolerance as an extension of the approach of the country’s founder, and to establish sustainable institutional action aimed at deepening the values of tolerance, dialog, acceptance of others and openness to different cultures.
Five Themes for the Year of Tolerance
The Year of Tolerance will see a focus on five key themes:
- Strengthen the values of tolerance and openness towards the cultures and peoples of society by emphasizing these values within future generations
- The UAE has been established as a global capital for tolerance through a series of major initiatives and projects, including research contributions and specialized social studies in the dialog of civilizations
- Cultural tolerance through a variety of community and cultural initiatives
- Introduce legislation and policies aimed at promoting the values of cultural, religious and social tolerance
- Promote a discourse of tolerance and acceptance of others through targeted media initiatives.
Tolerance Bridge
In November 2017, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed ben Rashid Al Maktoum, May God Assist Him, named the most beautiful pedestrian bridge in the Emirate of Dubai on the new water channel as the Bridge of Tolerance, highlighting the value of tolerance in the UAE, which connects bridges between more than 200 nationalities coexisting in the country in peace and love, stressing that the UAE is an oasis of security and peace, enshrining the values of tolerance and justice. This announcement coincided with the International Day for Tolerance, which falls on November 16 every year.
Mariam, Mother of Jesus Mosque
The United Arab Emirates is an incubator of the values of tolerance, peace, security and multiculturalism, with more than 200 nationalities enjoying a decent life and respect. The laws of the United Arab Emirates guarantee justice, respect and equality for all, and criminalize hatred, intolerance, division and discord.
The United Arab Emirates is a key partner in several international agreements and treaties that are linked to the renunciation of violence, extremism and discrimination. It has become a world capital where the civilizations of East and West meet to promote peace and rapprochement among all peoples.
The State hosts several churches and temples that allow individuals to practice their religious rites. The State has several international initiatives that consolidate global peace and security and achieve a decent life for all.
As a practical example of the spirit of tolerance enjoyed by the United Arab Emirates, Crown Prince of Abou Dabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyan issued a directive calling Mariam, Mother of Jesus “Peace be upon them” on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Mosque in the Al-Mashreef area, in order to strengthen the human links among followers of the religions, to which our faith and the common denominational denominations of the divine religions have urged.
Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence
The position of Minister of State for Tolerance was first created in the UAE in February 2016 when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed ben Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, announced the 12th cabinet formation, substantial changes in the federal government, and the reasons that led the state leadership to appoint a Minister of State for Tolerance.
His Highness said: “We cannot allow hatred in our state, nor can we accept any form of discrimination between any person who dwells on it, or is a citizen of it.”
His Highness pointed out that the culture of tolerance is not new in the society of the United Arab Emirates today, but is an extension of a culture that has prevailed in the region since ancient times.
This new ministry supports the state’s position towards instilling the values of tolerance, pluralism and acceptance of others, ideologically, culturally, culturally and religiously.
Accordingly, Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi has been appointed as Minister of State for Tolerance, with the task of establishing tolerance as a fundamental value in society at the local and regional levels.
Following the formation of the Cabinet in October 2017, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan assumed the position of a member of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Tolerance.
