Manila - The UAE under the leadership of President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has an honourable record of religious tolerance and co-existence among all those living on its land, Chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments Dr. Hamdan Al Mazrouie said yesterday.
"The UAE is yesterday serving as a real, living melting pot for interaction of cultures, languages and ethnics of about 200 nationalities, Al Mazrouie said in an address before the extraordinary meeting of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on inter-faith dialogue and cooperation for peace and development.
"The UAE has enacted legislations that guarantee and protect religions, respect traditions and norms and allow freedom of religious rituals with fair and transparency that do not spur rise of religious, ethical or sectorial fanaticism,” he added.
"The religious co-existence in the open sky of the internet and thousands of TV satellite channels and advanced communications has become one of the most pressing issues that should be taken care of. Modern technology carries good and bad ideas and principles much faster than books and other publications, he noted. He added some of these ideas disrespect religions and disseminate terrorism, fanaticism and chaos in communities.
"Islam preaches security and peaceful co-existence and the UAE experiment in upholding these values is rich given the fact that it is hosting workers of 203 nationalities and at the same time preserves its national identity,” he said, noting that despite this cultural diversity, there is no fear from openness so long as Islam acts as a real guarantor.
According to him, the wise policy of the UAE leadership on preventive security and the moderate, neutral foreign policy which culminated into sealing of a series of agreements with friendly labour-sending countries have also contributed to creating an environment of cooperation and religious, cultural, economic, and security co-existence in the UAE as per testimonies of leaders of other faiths including the Vatican.
Al Mazrouie called on the conference to address the real challenge posed by some countries and groups who sponsor religious extremism, upset peaceful co-existence and tolerance.
"Let's have all hands on deck to fend off these risks,” he concluded. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
RELATED ARTICLES
UAE for fruitful, progressive ties with Tunisia - 23 January 2012
Abdul Jalil receives Gargash, hails UAE support to Libyan Revolution - 19 January 2012
UAE, Libya voice resolve to boost bilateral ties and cooperation - 19 January 2012
Gargash hails UAE- Libyan ties - 18 January 2012
Abdullah bin Zayed: UAE-Iraq trade exceeded US$4.5 in 2011 - 17 January 2012
RETURN TO MAIN NEWS PAGE | WAM
UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
Home
