Strengthening the bridge of Tolerance

Today marks the much-awaited visit of H.H. Pope Francis, the head of Roman Catholic Church to the capital city of Abu Dhabi, where the people of two of the worlds largest religions and cultures will hoist up the flag of tolerance together.

The visit of H.H. is not the solitary or the first step taken by the UAE towards spreading its message, UAE has been thriving into becoming the Global Capital of Tolerance for the last many years.

Flipping back the pages of yesterday, one comes across many a number of outstanding expressions of tolerance by the country that will most heartily welcome H.H. Pope Francis to its land rich in cultural heritage, today. History throws light to many such occasions and actions from this great nation towards upholding its spirits of Tolerance.

To treat every person, no matter what his creed or race, as a special soul, is a mark of Islam.

• The late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan

UAE is a country rich in cultural heritage and with strong roots that define its values. Guided by the lessons of tremendous leaders like the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the country never fails to preserve these values.

Back in 2015, the federal government issued a tough new law against any form of discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, creed, doctrine, race, colour or ethnic origin.

The law, passed by a decree of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, criminalises acts that are deemed to stoke religious hatred. The law further aims to provide a sound foundation for the environment of tolerance, the UAEs press agency WAM reported at the time.

UAE is a country, in the cabinet of which sits a Minister of State for Tolerance.

Later, in 2016, the UAE announced the creation of a tolerance ministry, alongside new ministries for happiness and youth affairs. The ministry is headed by Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi. Shaikha Lubna previously served as the Minister of State for International Cooperation. She holds the distinction of being the UAEs first woman minister. As part of her role, Shaikha Lubna regularly meets religious leaders across the UAE.

Nevertheless, UAE seems to reassert its firm stand for Tolerance through other means as well.

Every year, the country observes November 16 as the International Day of Tolerance.

Commemorating the 22nd International day of Tolerance, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced the pedestrian bridge over the Dubai Canal as Tolerance Bridge, in the year 2017.

Tolerance is synonymous with the UAE. It is a fundamental value of our people and an essential element for our development and prosperity in the future.

• His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai

UAE has happily opened doors for the building of places of worship for the diverse populace practicing different religions from Hinduism, Christianity, and Sikhism to others. The nation has always offered more to their comfort and ease of practice for centuries.

The UAE moulds itself to becoming the epitome of Tolerance in a world that is battling against the evils of intolerance, with a population that holds together almost 200 nationalities in complete harmony. Besides the mosques, the UAE is home to more than 76 places of worship for people of various religions including a synagogue.

The country has already begun with its steps towards observing the year as The Year of Tolerance, and will leave no cloud on the horizon that will threaten the nations status as a breeding ground for tolerance.

The UAEs inexplicably extraordinary endeavours in its many expressions of tolerance is a lesson for countries around the world to learn and imbibe from.