The UAE has been behind important moments in the history of religious tolerance, such as the first ever papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula. AFP
The UAE has been behind important moments in the history of religious tolerance, such as the first ever papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula. AFP
The UAE has been behind important moments in the history of religious tolerance, such as the first ever papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula. AFP
The UAE has been behind important moments in the history of religious tolerance, such as the first ever papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula. AFP

Pluralism in the UAE goes a long way back


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On the occasion of the International Day of Human Fraternity, we reminisce with fondness the historic moment two years ago when the first ever papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula was made. The trip also involved the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. After signing it, Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Mosque in Egypt, together announced "the adoption of a culture of dialogue as the path; mutual co-operation as the code of conduct; reciprocal understanding as the method and standard".

They exhorted world leaders to "spread the culture of tolerance and of living together in peace; to intervene at the earliest opportunity to stop the shedding of innocent blood and bring an end to wars, conflicts, environmental decay and the moral and cultural decline that the world is presently experiencing". That the event happened in the UAE was of particular importance, given the fact that it is one of the few countries globally in which around 200 nationalities and almost all faiths, cultures and languages have co-existed harmoniously for decades.

The UAE's history of tolerance and cultural co-existence is comparable in many ways to the period of Convivencia in Spanish history. First proposed by the Spanish philologist Americo Castro, Convivencia refers to the period of Spanish history from the Muslim Umayyad conquest of Hispania in the early eighth century, to the expulsion of the Jews in 1492. This period under enlightened Arab Muslim rulers was one of multi-faith harmony and symbiosis, which rarely existed anywhere else in Europe at the time.

The rebuilding of Mosul is under way. AFP
The rebuilding of Mosul is under way. AFP

The visit in 1951 of Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, to the Vatican – among several other religious centres in Europe – is worth remembering in our present context. It demonstrates that our respect and acceptance of others has deep historical roots. Our early commitment to religious freedom was also reflected when Sheikh Shakhbut, the then Ruler of Abu Dhabi, donated 11 acres of land for the construction of the first church in the emirate. When it was consecrated in 1965, both Sheikh Shakhbut and his brother Sheikh Zayed attended the historic opening. The UAE currently has more than 50 places of worship belonging to various faiths other than Islam. Our pluralism is distinctive in the sense that diverse identities live together here without any pressure for assimilation or self-effacement.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, once pointed out that “when the Arab world was tolerant and accepting of others, it led the world”. He explained that “from the civilisations of Damascus to Andalusia, Arab people provided beacons of science, knowledge, and civilisation, because humane values were the basis of our relationships with all civilisations, cultures, and religions”. Privileging human values, over narrow visions of the self, defined the culture of this land before and after the formation of the Union in 1971.

It is this same legacy that inspired us to partner with Unesco in February 2018 for the flagship initiative "Revive the Spirit of Mosul", which aims to rebuild the Iraqi city from the debris of terrorist vandalism. The project will restore the urban, social and cultural fabric of the Old City and seek to foster reconciliation and social cohesion. It involves the reconstruction of the Old City's historic landmarks, including Al Nouri Mosque, with its Al Hadba Minaret, and Al Sa'a and Al Tahira churches.

The UAE currently has more than 50 places of worship belonging to faiths other than Islam

The message that we want to convey through our partnership in the project is that we resist the zealots who destroy the symbols of our harmonious heritage and cultural values. It is also part of our commitment to fight against the forces of extremism across the globe. Just as we spare no effort in keeping the UAE a pluralistic safe haven, we also contribute to global initiatives against extremism and terrorism. Our vision of tolerance and acceptance is also a central aspect of our humanitarian operations around the globe. We offer aid and support to suffering people anywhere, regardless of their creed, colour or ethnicity.

As we observe the International Day of Human Fraternity, we need to remember that we are in the middle of a global pandemic that has held humanity hostage for almost an entire year. If there is one lesson to learn from our experience of the virus, it is this: our safety and security as human beings can be ensured only if we set aside narrow, identity-obsessed obstinacies and embrace all humankind with humility and love. As a nation, we remain committed to the promotion of tolerance and pluralism, both in terms of ethical principles and pragmatic considerations.

Noura Al Kaabi is the UAE’s Minister of Culture and Youth

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor

Power: 843hp at N/A rpm

Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km

On sale: October to December

Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)

The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
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NBA Finals so far

(Toronto lead 3-1 in best-of-seven series_

Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109

Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109

Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123

Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105

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%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20will%20host%20Scotland%20for%20a%20three-match%20T20I%20series%20at%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Stadium%20next%20month.%3Cbr%3EThe%20two%20sides%20will%20start%20their%20Cricket%20World%20Cup%20League%202%20campaigns%20with%20a%20tri-series%20also%20involving%20Canada%2C%20starting%20on%20January%2029.%3Cbr%3EThat%20series%20will%20be%20followed%20by%20a%20bilateral%20T20%20series%20on%20March%2011%2C%2013%20and%2014.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

While you're here
How do Sim card scams work?

Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.

They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards by claiming to be the victim, often pretending their phone has been lost or stolen in order to secure a new Sim.

They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.

The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.

While you're here
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Brave CF 27 fight card

Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)

Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)

Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)

Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)

Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)

Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)

Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)

Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)