His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has proclaimed the year 2019 to be the "The Year of Tolerance" in the UAE, highlighting the UAE as a global capital for tolerance, and emphasizing tolerance as a universal concept and a sustainable institutional endeavor through legislation and policies aimed at entrenching the values of tolerance, dialogue, coexistence and openness to different cultures, especially amongst youth, which will reflect positively on society as a whole.
The Year of Tolerance embodies the approach adopted by the UAE since its establishment to be a bridge of communication between the people of the world and their various cultures, in an environment of openness and respect that rejects extremism and promotes coexistence.
Minister hails Dubai church during Tolerance Day celebrations
Dubai: Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance, said the International Day for Tolerance is an important day to remind the world of the increasing necessity for global understanding and respect for human life.
He was addressing ‘A Salute to Tolerant UAE’ event organized by St. Mary’s Catholic Church, to express gratitude to the Rulers and people of the UAE for upholding the values of tolerance.
“We far too often hear of numerous ethnic, religious, cultural, and national conflicts,” Shaikh Nahyan told the gathering.
“We see the rise of exclusive politics and discourses of division, even in places thought to be among the safest countries in the world. This intolerant behaviour threatens to weaken the fabric of living together that is so essential to who we are as human beings.”
He pointed out that “the Year of Tolerance has embraced the notion that only by thinking and working together can we collectively reach the promise that human ingenuity offers for a peaceful and prosperous global society.”
“We were all honoured by their inspirational presence, as global forces for peace and compassion. In issuing the Abu Dhabi Declaration on Human Fraternity, they have focused attention on promoting tolerance around the globe, exemplifying the moral force all must exert if we are to meet the great global challenges of this twenty-first century.”
He praised St. Mary’s Catholic Church for demonstrating the values of tolerance in action.
“Your sense of community is highly evident. Since your inauguration in 1967, you have offered a familiar, homely atmosphere, a place of comfort, for so many. You have been on this journey of tolerance with us from the very beginning, sharing our values in the past and for the future,” Shaikh Nahyan added.
Among other activities, the Church also released a ‘Thank You UAE’ album containing writings, poems and drawings by the people of the parish.
The event was attended by Archbishop Francisco Padilla, Vatican Ambassador to UAE, Bishop Paul Hinder, and Apostolic Vicar of the Vicariate of Southern Arabia, Rev. Fr. Lennie Connully, Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Church, leading UAE government dignitaries and leaders from different faiths.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Honorable Minister of Tolerance, said the International Day for Tolerance is an important day to remind the world of the increasing necessity for global understanding and respect for human life.