Aiming to promote the culture of tolerance regionally and globally, the UAE Government of Dubai has launched the International Institute for Tolerance as per local Law No 9 of 2017. The step seeks to provide solutions to the challenges of extremism and promote the UAE as a role model for tolerance.
The law also launches the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Tolerance Award which seeks to honour the efforts of those who contribute in spreading the culture of tolerance in the societies.
The institute is open to scholars and tolerance advocates who wish to work towards establishing a culture of tolerance and openness in our societies and against all forms of discrimination among people, based on religion, gender, race, colour or language.
The institute will encourage open dialogue and highlight the honest and peaceful essence of Islam against extremism, fanaticism and intellectual repression. It will propose policies, legislations and initiatives to entrench the values of tolerance and co-existence and create an environment that is conducive to social and cultural harmony.
In December 2012, H. H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation launched Hedayah (Arabic for guidance) the new name of the International Centre for Excellence in countering violent extremism, in Abu Dhabi.
Hedayah serves as the premier international hub for policy makers, practitioners and researchers of Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) to enhance understanding and share good practices to build the capacity of CVE actors across the globe to promote tolerance, stability and security. It address current threats in CVE by organising capacity building activities and workshops.
In July 2015, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America co-founded Sawab. (Sawab means the right path in Arabic.) It is an online engagement initiative, in support of the global coalition against extremism. Sawab seeks to give a voice to the millions of Muslims and others around the world who stand united against terrorism and the religious misinterpretations that are being propagated by them.
The centre works with religious leaders, organisations, businesses and youth in order to amplify their voices, challenge extremism doctrines of hate and intolerance and demonstrate the true values of the UAE's community.
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29 Oct 2024