Imam’s anti-Hindu remarks have no place in tolerant UAE



ABU DHABI // Residents and officials have denounced anti-Hindu statements made by an Abu Dhabi imam – stating they do not represent the UAE’s stance on religious tolerance.

Dr Hanif Al Qassim, chairman of the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue said such statements belonged to a politicised Islam.

“Those people appoint themselves as heirs and religious scholars of Sharia. They’re instigators and belong to a politicised version of Islam,” Dr Al Qassim said.

“The UAE has provided the world with a rare example in balanced governance and religious tolerance that is open to all cultures.

“This allowed for an exchange in worldly experience and relationships that helped the country flourish, and has attracted more than 200 nationalities that live together in peaceful existence,” he said.

Last week, controversial tweets by imam Sheikh Wassim Youssef, a lecturer at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, caused an uproar among Emirati intellectuals and Twitter users.

The lecturer expressed his disapproval of the decision to build a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Al Qassim highlighted the UAE’s reputation, stating that international organisations such as the United Nations have vouched for the country’s accomplishments in tolerance.

“The Hindu temple in Dubai has been around for a long time and is one of many houses of worship where people in the UAE practice their faith and rituals freely,” he said.

Dr Farouq Hamada, religious adviser at the Crown Prince Court in Abu Dhabi, reiterated Dr Al Qassim’s sentiments.

“Scholars are using divisive methods and showing an alarming lack of Islamic competence.

“The UAE has established policies in religious tolerance. People need to practice their faith freely for marriages and religious practices, and the government recognises that,” Dr Hamada said.

“Such divisive and radical ideas do not belong in the modern world. The UAE’s leadership has well established visionary ideas that those extremists have no business in intervening with.”

“Leaders have a role to play and ensure the welfare of all of the country’s people, and the UAE is mindful of that,” he said.

The UAE government announced plans during Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit last week to allocate land for the building of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.

Following Sheikh Wassim Youssef’s comments, social media users started a hashtag calling for the imam’s dismissal.

Abu Dhabi resident, Ahmed Saeed, 43, said he was unhappy with the anti-Hindu sentiments he saw online but welcomed people being vocal about it.

“Those sentiments do not represent the opinions and welcoming attitude of the people of the UAE,” Mr Saeed said.

“I’m proud that Emiratis are using social media to show a true image of our real values, and tolerance is a big part of it. There’s a growing awareness by the people of what religious extremism is.

“People are more attuned to it nowadays. Unfortunately, religion is constantly being used as a divisive tool, and it’s our duty to not allow that to happen,” he said.

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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.

The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.

“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.

“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”

Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.

Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.

“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.

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