Abu Dhabi: The UAE is committed to fighting terrorism and bridging the gaps that separate people of different faiths, Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, said on Thursday.
“We deplore and reject all forms of terrorism and the founding father of the UAE was determined to build a country that is based on tolerance,” he said, speaking at a gathering of religious leaders, politicians and businessmen at Al Bateen Palace in Abu Dhabi at the backdrop of terrorist incidents in Beirut, Cairo and Paris.
“We in the UAE endeavour to promote tolerance and respect of all people regardless of their cultures or religions. We firmly believe that the most successful society is one in which all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential as human beings. That opportunity - for all to realise their hopes and dreams, their skills and talents - is the most compelling measure of progress in a society,” he said.
Shaikh Nahyan said the first thing that was built in the UAE after the discovery of oil was a church, not a mosque. That came later. “We benefit from the diversity and difference. We have 200 nationalities and we all believe that their diversity and difference have strengthened us and made us a better nation. It is not about oil, as many countries have oil, but it is about tolerance, acceptance and respecting other people and their beliefs.”
Shaikh Nahyan stressed we need to bridge gaps that separate people of different faiths, disperse misunderstanding and stereotyping and not allow those sick people, who do not relate to us, to destroy our communities.
As a result of this enlightened vision, the United Arab Emirates has produced unparalleled economic growth, accompanied by social and political stability, with constantly broadening opportunities for our country’s citizens and residents.
Shaikh Nahyan praised the diversity of the UAE’s population, saying that this was a source of strength to the country.
“In the UAE, our population is a mixture of nationalities, ethnicities, religions, languages, and cultures. Such diversity does not threaten us. On the contrary, we gain strength with the opportunity to show to the world the best of our culture. We live together in peace and harmony and they have rights and they contributed to our development and prosperity.
“Together, we can defeat terrorism and atrocities in France and elsewhere should make us stronger. We in the UAE do everything we can to fight that. That effort could help to build a stronger, more peaceful world,” Shaikh Nahyan said.
Dr Brian J. Adams, Director of Centre for Interfaith and Cultural Dialogue, Griffith University, told Gulf News the UAE doesn’t just seek to allow space for every faith to worship as they please; its leadership also seeks to build a strong, united community with respect between faith communities. Some examples of this include patronage of the G20 Interfaith Summit last year and support for the World Interfaith Harmony celebrations on February. 3, 2016.
On whether the UAE’s success and economic prosperity can be a direct consequence of its commitment to respect to peoples irrespective of their culture or religion, Dr Adams agreed and added that perhaps more importantly, the future prosperity and flourishing of the UAE is dependent on building a strong society where people of all cultures and religions feel respected and safe to practice their beliefs. This is important because many divisive issues plague the modern world and the only way to address them is through combined effort built on respect.
Reverend Andrew Thompson, MBE, Senior Chaplain at Abu Dhabi’s St. Andrews Church, praised the founding father Shaikh Zayed’s vision and leadership which was behind making the UAE a religiously tolerant society.
“Recently, I spoke in the British Parliament in the House of Lords about the treatment of Christians in the UAE. Instead of the familiar narrative of persecution and extreme religious violence, I spoke of the tolerance and religious freedom which many churches enjoy in this Islamic nation. Their response was surprise and hope,” Reverend Thompson said
He added when we analyse the reason as to why the UAE has such a strong tradition of hospitality we can point to several factors.
“Firstly was the visionary and exceptional leadership of the late Shaikh Zayed. His friendship with leaders of other faiths and traditions is well documented. Amongst them was Dr Pat Kennedy who founded the Al Ain Oasis hospital back in 1960 resulting in a deep gratitude from the local population who prior to that time faced lives of hardship resulting in ill health. The outcome of the deep friendship between Shaikh Zayed and Dr Kennedy is a nation who welcomes the Christian as an integral part of their Islamic and historical heritage.,” Reverend Thompson said.
Another reason for the religious freedom, he went on, is that the UAE has historically been a trading nation with a long maritime tradition. Economic prosperity can only be assured if there is a warm and trusting acceptance of international trading partners.
Reverend Thompson said the UAE is home to over 40 churches, a Sikh Temple, and two Hindu temples. This is substantially more centres of worship than all the other GCC countries combined together.
“We see a continuation of this tradition of friendship today in the hosting by Shaikh Nahyan of representatives from numerous different faiths and traditions. After a moving speech in which Shaikh Nahyan addressed clearly the need for us to stand against terrorists and affirm our friendship with one another we moved on to a banquet in which friendships were deepened over a meal.”
The best way to demolish stereotypes, promote the ‘knowing and understanding of the other’ is by eating together. The UAE knows this and are modelling it to the rest of the world, Reverend Thompson concluded.
Surender Singh Kandhari, Chairman of Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara, the Sikh temple in Dubai, said today we are proud at the same time humbled that His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai has donated land and encouraged us to build the Gurudwara – which is the greatest symbol of the inter-faith-respect and regard for one another. “This gesture has been appreciated not only by the Sikhs of Dubai but by Sikhs all over the world. This magnanimous gesture has put a firm seal on a relationship which goes back hundreds of years.”
Kandhari said the UAE is a tolerant country that allows people from different places and from different religious and ethnic backgrounds to live here in harmony and cooperation, as good human beings. “Good human beings tolerate and respect one another and understand each other’s good motives, whatever their cultural differences may be.”
