UAE a model nation for diversity and openness, says Reem Al Hashemi

Dubai / WAM

As the world comes together to observe one of the core values of humanity, the UAE has emerged as a model nation for diversity and openness, said Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Co-operation and Director-General, Expo 2020 Dubai, in an Op-Ed to mark the International Day of Tolerance.
“The 16th of November, 2016, marks the International Day for Tolerance, an international date of observation, set by a 1995 United Nations resolution to mark the UN Declaration of Principles of Tolerance,” she said.
“All of us living and working in the UAE are proud to observe this international occasion. Under the visionary leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE has emerged as a nation built on the principles of peace, harmony and tolerance – open to people from around the world,” the Minister said.
“These principles were first established by our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, former President of the UAE. He laid the path that we continue to tread today,” she added.
“The world knows that the UAE encourages a culture of co-existence among all nationalities and emphasises shared human values including justice, tolerance and respect for others. We are a diverse country where many people, from all backgrounds, work hand-in-hand to contribute to development of this great nation,” she noted.
“Earlier this year, our visionary government took another step forward with the formation of a dedicated Ministry of Tolerance. Our National Tolerance Programme, under the patronage of Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, is based on the key principles of Islam and promotes tolerance and co-existence while denouncing violence, hatred and racism,” Al Hashemi said.
“The UAE’s efforts to promote tolerance go beyond our borders. The UAE has a history of supporting countries through many charities and foundations, including the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and Dubai Cares, which lives up to its name and the ambition set out by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid when he founded the organisation. It is this humanitarian impulse that led His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to send AED1.3 million worth of emergency aid to cyclone-hit Haiti last month,” she said.
“Expo 2020 Dubai will share this spirit of tolerance with the world as we bring 25 million visitors to the UAE in 2020 in the spirit of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’. The Expo 2020 Dubai team embodies it, made up of individuals from over 30 nationalities, all working closely and harmoniously to ensure that diversity in people and ideas will be celebrated in this mega-event,” the Minister said.
“Our work to create an inclusive global expo is bearing fruit. More than 70 nations have already confirmed their participation, a reflection of our efforts to make this the most international World Expo in history. Tolerance and diversity will play a part in this mega-event and its legacy for the wider region,” she said.
“We are extremely proud of the progress that the UAE has made so far. We look forward to continuing to lead through the example we have set as an open and tolerant nation,”
Al Hashemi said.