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Shaikha Lubna and Khalid Al Kamda with Christian religious leaders from different churches at an inter-faith suhoor by Jebel Ali Churches Council to celebrate tolerance at St. Mina church. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

Dubai: The UAE is ranked first regionally and third globally in the Tolerance Index of the 2016 Yearbook issued by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland.

The index was issued on the occasion of International Day for Tolerance, which falls on November 16 each year.

Speaking on the occasion, Reem Ebrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairperson of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, said: “The UAE’s performance in the Tolerance Index reflects the extent of tolerance, understanding and openness enjoyed by all who live in the UAE, as more than 200 nationalities live in the country in acceptance and understanding.”

She added: “The UAE has long played a leading and a global role in the fields of culture and religious dialogue without discrimination. The UAE also played a regional and international role in the renunciation of violence, extremism, hatred, and contempt of others.”

Al Hashemi stressed that the country’s laws provide for equality among members of society and the criminalisation of discrimination between individuals or groups on the basis of religion, sect, race, colour or origin.

She congratulated the UAE leadership and people on the occasion.