Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak: tolerance is the 'oxygen' of the UAE

The Minister of Tolerance addressed pupils at Al Bateen Academy in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan spoke about the role of the Ministry of Tolerance during a speech to school pupils in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa/The National

"Tolerance is like oxygen" and the people of the UAE are the trees helping to produce it, said the country's Minister of Tolerance in a speech to school pupils in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak spoke of the importance of spreading tolerance across the country during an address at Al Bateen Academy.

He told pupils that the ministry is for people of all ages, nationalities and religions.

"Tolerance is like oxygen and the people of the UAE are the trees helping equally to produce the oxygen of tolerance," said Sheikh Nahyan.

"The greater the participation of the country’s people in promoting tolerance, the more harmonious, peaceful and prosperous the country will be.”

The Minister told pupils at the British-curriculum high school that it is the ministry's mission to promote dialogue and seek

"to help everyone in the UAE practice tolerance in its broadest definition”, state news agency WAM reported.

"Neither a single nation, nor a single culture, nor a single type of government, nor a single philosophical belief, nor a single person is exempt from practicing tolerance,” he said.