Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. So said the Dalai Lama.

Tolerance is a virtue which many should inculcate. It helps people understand one another and tackle each other’s problems should the need arise. It is the sheet anchor of good living, the essence of intrinsic goodness, the bedrock of co-existence.

Which is what the UAE encapsulates. With over 200 nationalities living under its humane umbrella, no other country perhaps boasts of such a safe and secure society.

Which is why Sheikh NahyanBin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, stressed that the UAE is without doubt one of the most peaceful, prosperous and tolerant countries among the nations of the world. This is undoubtedly the legacy of the founding father of the state, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It is also a completely harmonious and open country, as it opens its doors before everyone, regardless of culture, religion, race, gender or sect.

He affirmed that United Arab Emirates declares its enthusiastic support for the values and principles called for by the declaration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of founding the United Nations.

‘’Welcome to all leaders of the various religious sects in the United Arab Emirates, to participate in presenting a message of peace from the United Arab Emirates to the world through this forum,’’ declared Sheikh Nahyan in his inaugural speech during the virtual forum, organised by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, in cooperation with leaders of various religions, under the title “Peace Message from UAE to the World”.  “This meeting is not strange to the United Arab Emirates, as the leaders and members of different religious sects meet periodically and work together for the benefit of humanity.”

Indeed, there are very few places on earth where a temple, mosque and synagogue exist together.

It only goes to show that the way of life in the UAE is unparalleled or unique. It is a shining model for the whole world to follow.

“While there are many things that we must learn and do, we can confirm that the United Arab Emirates has walked the path of tolerance for a long time, to know its virtues,” he added.

Sheikh Nahyan also noted that the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence considers peace and coexistence, including tolerance, human brotherhood, cooperation, dialogue and sympathy as the hope of all humanity in facing all challenges in pursuit of development, stability and growth.

Tolerance is the strong foundation on which the country was built. Sheikh Nahyan declared that the UAE has been and will remain an oasis of security, peace and tolerance in the region and the world, as it began its journey 50 years ago on the basis of tolerance and coexistence. The faithful of different creeds follow their practices without any hindrance or interference from the State.

Given the importance of consolidating the values of peaceful coexistence and human brotherhood taken by the UAE as an approach, in September last year, the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi handed over 18 local houses of worship to non-Muslims.

The Zayed House for Islamic Culture organised the third edition of the “Tolerance Forum,” under the slogan, “The Role of Tolerance in Social Cohesion” to reinforce cultural interaction and community coherence. During the forum, over 790,000 signed the ‘Covenant For Million Tolerant’.

The UAE has always been a pioneer in charity work. There are charity projects with Sheikh Zayed’s name in almost every country and region.

The UAE’s experience in upholding the principles of peace and forbearance makes it an outstanding regional and international model, more so during the time of the coronavirus pandemic. This experience has spread to other continents and helped create better lives for people everywhere.