Who is the first “Minister of Tolerance” in the world, since February 2016?
- It is a woman.
- In the Arab world at the Gulf.
- A Muslima.
- Her name is Her Highness Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi (picture above with GLOBALO Founder Dr Hubertus Hoffmann)
- As soon as June 2016 the cabinet of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Gulf , chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, published a National Tolerance Program.
- The Lighthouse of Tolerance is in The United Arab Emirates.
Al Maktoum said: “The holy month of Ramadan is a great opportunity to spread the spirit of tolerance, and show the real image of moderation, and respect for others. Tolerance is the basis for building societies, and promoting values of peaceful coexistence. Today, we need to be more tolerant and united to face the changes happening around us.”
During the meeting in June 2016, the UAE Cabinet approved the National Tolerance Program presented by Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance.
National Tolerance Program
Her Highness Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi presented the National Tolerance Program before the Cabinet, highlighting the values of tolerance in the UAE society. The program is based on seven main pillars: Islam, UAE Constitution, Zayed’s Legacy and Ethics of the UAE, International Conventions, Archeology and History, Humanity, and Common Values.
Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi emphasized that through these solid values, the UAE society will continue to build up tolerance, multiculturalism, culture of acceptance of others, and reject attitudes of discrimination and hatred. In cooperation with various entities and through special team work, thought initiatives and national programs will be launched such as the declaration of a Tolerance Week, establishment of a Council for Tolerance and the UAE Tolerance Centre, and the launch of Tolerance Responsibility Program for Organizations, and the UAE Charter of Tolerance and Coexistence and Peace.
Five main themes of National Tolerance Program
The National Tolerance Program will be in collaboration with federal and local entities under five main themes:
- Strengthen government’s role as an incubator of tolerance.
- Consolidate the role of family in nation building.
- Promote tolerance among young people and prevent them from fanaticism and extremism.
- Enrich scientific and cultural content, and
- Integrate international efforts to promote tolerance and highlight the leading role of UAE in this area.
The program will include a number of initiatives such as Tolerance Week, which will be observed in the third week of November each year to mark the International Day for Tolerance on November 16.
As part of the program, members of various segments of the society will be selected as the ‘Voice of Tolerance’ to promote tolerance and reject attitudes of racism and hatred through a number of activities and events, and the use of social media, in partnership with various media outlets.
The UAE Council of Tolerance will be formed featuring relevant entities and select experts capable of reviewing and approving initiatives and events and developing policies to promote tolerance at the local, region and international levels.
The first theme includes Tolerance Responsibility Program for Organizations, the first program of its kind in the world, which will encourage organizations to support tolerance.
The program will also launch the UAE Charter of Tolerance, Coexistence, and Peace, which is a set of agreements related to citizens, residents, teachers, students and employees aimed at promoting tolerance, coexistence and respect for cultural diversity, and the rejection of violence, extremism and racism.
The program will establish the UAE Tolerance Centre, which will work on studies and research promoting the concepts of tolerance and respect for others. The Centre will also provide scientific and cultural content on tolerance and the best practices related to people’s daily life.