Tolerance in the UAE: Talking Points for H.E Hazza Alqahtani during a Discussion with Students and Teachers at the Islamic Secondary School for Sciences

H.E the Ambassador gave a presentation on Tolerance in the UAE and awarded the best performing student with a laptop 

H.E. Ambassador Hazza Alqahtani today visited the Students and Teachers at the Islamic Secondary School for Sciences and presented the programme of Tolerance in the UAE. Read his Speech below: 

Introduction:

• A very good afternoon to you all, especially to our young students and our much respected teachers. I am happy to be here once again with you all. 

• Mr. Abdellatif Aouid Director General of the Islamic Cultural Center and the leadership of the Islamic Secondary School for Sciences, thank you for this opportunity to once again speak to the students, this time about Tolerance in the UAE. 

• I’m going to share with you my country’s legacy of tolerance, acceptance and co-existence between people of different faiths. 

Firstly, what is Tolerance? 

 Tolerance is harmony in difference. It is not only a moral duty, it is also a political and legal obligation.  Tolerance is the virtue that makes peace possible and contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by a culture of peace. 

 Tolerance is not concession, condescension or indulgence. Tolerance is, above all, recognizing the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. 

 The practice of tolerance does not mean abandonment or weakening of one’s convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one’s own convictions and accept that others adhere to theirs. 

Seven Pillars of the National Tolerance Program 

In 2016, the UAE Government introduced the seven pillars of the national tolerance program. They include: – Sheikh Zayed’s legacy & ethics of the UAE – Islam – The UAE’s Constitution – International Conventions – Common values – Humanity – Archeology & history.

H.E Ambassador Hazza Alqahtani awarding the best performing student with a laptop 

Cultural Cornerstone:

 • The founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul in peace; was tolerant and called all people to be tolerant themselves, to accept others and coexist with them regardless of color, religion or beliefs. He did this using his compassionate fatherly style, wisdom, and gentle words done with ease and spontaneity to reach the hearts and minds of listeners. 

• Enshrined in the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, the UAE embraces the concept of “The Middle Way” (Moderation) in Islam, inspired by genuine Arabian traditions & cultural heritage. 

• Diversity, openness, religious tolerance all align with Emirati adherence to moderate Islam, a guiding principal of the UAE’s national identity since 1971. 

• The UAE is a nation of tolerance, peace, cultural diversity & coexistence, with over 200 nationalities living peacefully & prosperously side by side. Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the UAE:

• The key event of the 2019 Year of Tolerance in the UAE was the visit to the UAE of His Holiness Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church and spiritual leader to 1.2 billion devotees. He became the first pontiff ever to visit the Arabian Peninsula. 

Group Photo with Students and Teachers 

• His Holiness Pope Francis said and I quote…. 

“This Visit to the United Arab Emirates belongs to the “surprises” of God. So let us praise Him and His providence, and pray that the seeds sown may bring forth fruits of peace”. End of quote

• During this momentous visit, Pope Francis met with His Eminence Grand Imam Sheikh of al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed al-Tayyib. The two religious leaders signed the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi. 

• The Document of Human Fraternity calls for an end to the use of religion as justification for war, violence and harm and opposes extremism in all forms. 

• This historic document presents a series of guidelines which denounce violence in the name of religion and urge the adoption of a culture of dialogue and mutual cooperation as a code of conduct and reciprocal understanding. 

The Abrahamic House of Fraternity 

• The Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity and Islam—are united by the belief in one God and all three share in a history connected to the patriarch Abraham. 

• In an increasingly polarized world, the UAE proposed a dedicated space for inter-faith dialogue. Religious tolerance and the embrace of diversity have been a part of the UAE story from the very beginning. 

• The Abrahamic Family House will be an interfaith complex currently in development in Abu Dhabi, a representation of the Document of Human Fraternity, which will feature a church, a mosque, a synagogue and a secular welcome center on one shared site. Currently, in development, the project’s anticipated completion date was set for this year.

 • At the Abrahamic House of Fraternity, each of the three houses of faith, a mosque, a church and a synagogue, will stand at the same height to symbolize equality. The design will highlight the often-overlooked similarities between the three faiths and their corresponding architectural traditions. 

International Day of Tolerance: 

Each year on 16th November, the world observes the International Day of Tolerance. With Tolerance, understood as a bedrock of both the nation’s history, and contemporary social fabric, the UAE in 2016 introduced the Ministry of Tolerance, and in 2017, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid named the pedestrian bridge over the Dubai Canal as the Tolerance Bridge. 

 As I conclude my presentation, 

I would like to quote that, as said by H.H. Sheikha Maryam bint Mohamed bin Zayed, leaders lead best when they empower their people, when they raise everyone up. It’s not about taking charge of others. It’s about taking responsibility for one another. That’s how Bedouins survived, that’s how communities grow. That is what we teach our children today. Thank you very much for your kind attention and I hope we have interesting discussions around this important topic. (End)