The UAE’s commitment to tolerance has again been demonstrated with the establishment of the International Institute for Tolerance and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Award for Tolerance, which will honour people from around the world.
This comes at the same time as the graduation of the first group of Emirati students specialising in international relations and diplomacy. Yesterday, 54 young people completed a nine-month postgraduate programme at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy and are ready to represent the UAE around the world. As well as their other functions, they will convey the message of tolerance and peace wherever they are posted.
Tolerance, moderation and peaceful diplomacy have been key principles for the UAE since its establishment in 1971 under the guidance of the late Sheikh Zayed. Many decades later, the country has confirmed its commitment to his vision. We now have a Minister of State for Tolerance dedicated to the promotion of tolerance as a fundamental value in society. We also have a national programme for tolerance that aims to foster collaboration between federal and local entities in this regard. And the government has established the Sawab Centre in collaboration with the United States to counter online messaging and propaganda by ISIL and other extremist groups.
The new International Institute for Tolerance is a logical and crucial addition to the mix, as it will promote the study and understanding of fundamentalism, seclusion and sectarianism, and suggest solutions to the problem. A special award for writers, artists, young people and influencers will support and amplify the message that the country is trying to deliver.
This country’s leadership recognises the need to take the higher ground and embody the principle of tolerance, through practice, determination and education. This is especially important at this time of regional upheaval, when the forces of intolerance and extremism are challenging the way we live.
