Dubai Culture Celebrates International Day for Tolerance 2017

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 22 November 2017:  Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, has launched several initiatives to celebrate International Day for Tolerance 2017 and promote tolerance, coexistence, harmony, respect for diversity and acceptance of others, while also reflecting the Authority’s vision and promoting reading. 

 

To mark the occasion, Dubai Culture’s CSR team launched a number of programmes and events in the outdoor arena of the Al-Futtaim building in cooperation with Al-Futtaim Group, including the ‘Share the Culture of Your Country with Us’ initiative, in addition to an interactive workshop held by the artist Abdul Qader Al-Mubarak, who guided participants in creating a tolerance logo with gypsum. 

 

The event also included a presentation about the message of tolerance shared by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in Arabic and English, as well as a photography corner where the participants could take pictures. Other speeches came from Dhaen Shaheen, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Dubai Culture, and Zuhair Al Haj, Executive Director of the Al-Futtaim Group. 

 

In addition, Dubai Culture showcased the UAE’s heritage and hospitality during the event by providing popular national dishes for the audience and participants. A number of other accompanying activities were held, including competitions by artist Bilal Abdullah.

 

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General of Dubai Culture, commented: "We at Dubai Culture are keen to establish the basic foundations of the UAE on the value of tolerance instilled by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The UAE is the first country in the world to have established a Ministry of Tolerance to affirm this value in society, which is an exceptional moral project that consolidates the UAE as a destination for harmonious coexistence among all cultures.”

 

As part of the ‘Mind Connect’ programme, the Dubai Public Library launched a series of initiatives under the theme ‘We read for a more tolerant society’ in support of the National Reading Strategy of 2016-2026. The event was held on Thursday 16th November at City Walk Dubai and featured several activities, such as a lecture titled ‘Power of Tolerance’, as ‘Say Tolerance in All Languages of the World’ activity, a story telling session, a story writing activity, and several workshops.

 

Under the title of ‘We Open Windows in the Paths of Knowledge’, Dubai Public Library organised a programme called ‘Love, Life, Power’ to celebrate International Day for Tolerance in six of its branches: Al Twar, Al Rashidiya, Hor Al Anz, Mankhool, Umm Suqeim and Hatta.

 

The purpose of these initiatives was to promote tolerance, coexistence, harmony, respect for diversity and acceptance of others, while also reflecting the Authority’s vision for promoting reading across society by creating a link between international events and reading initiatives.

 

Dubai Culture is committed to enriching the cultural scene of Dubai, starting from its Arabic heritage. The Authority is also responsible for building bridges of constructive dialogue between different civilisations and cultures, and contributing to constructive social and charitable initiatives for the benefit of the citizens and residents of Dubai.