Sheikh Nahyan unveils Tolerance Bridge over Dubai Canal - in pictures

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak unveils plaque at International Day for Tolerance event, with promise of more to come

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance unveils Tolerance Bridge that croses the Dubai Canal. All photos by WAM

The bridge was named on the annual International Day for Tolerance.

The ceremony was held after the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, announced the bridge’s new name, which reflects the UAE’s regional and global model for tolerance, harmony and co-existence.

The UAE’s leadership has established a consistent approach to making tolerance an integral part of our society, Sheikh Nahyan said.

We have more than 200 nationalities living and working in the UAE. At a time when hate speech, discrimination and non-acceptance of the other are spreading, we find value in otherness, appreciating the contributions made by different cultures and experiences that enrich us., Sheikh Nahyan added.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance, has unveiled a plaque on the pedestrian bridge spanning the Dubai Canal, revealing its new name, Tolerance Bridge, in a ceremony attended by a number of officials, students and young citizens.

The bridge was named on the annual International Day for Tolerance, which was celebrated on Thursday.

The ceremony was held after the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, announced the bridge’s new name, which reflects the UAE’s regional and global model for tolerance, harmony and co-existence, with residents from many different cultures and nations residing and working together.

Sheikh Nahyan said: "The UAE’s leadership has established a consistent approach to making tolerance an integral part of our society. Since its inception, the UAE has attracted millions of people from around the world, who were drawn to its values that are based on co-existence, tolerance and cultural acceptance."

He continued, "We have more than 200 nationalities living and working in the UAE. At a time when hate speech, discrimination and non-acceptance of the other are spreading, we find value in otherness, appreciating the contributions made by different cultures and experiences that enrich us. The UAE will itself remain a bridge that connects people from around the world, and a centre for tolerance, acceptance and togetherness."

Various cultural, artistic and community-based activities, events and programmes will take place throughout the year on Tolerance Bridge. It will also be a joyful and celebratory space, which will host singers and bands from around the world, invited to share their art. The bridge will be a place where acceptance, tolerance and understanding prevail, and symbolises connectivity between cultures and peoples.

The Dubai Water Canal was opened in November last year and is one of Dubai’s most unique cultural landmarks, linking the Business Bay area with the Arabian Gulf, 3.2 kilometers in length, adding 6.4km to the waterfront.