Abu Dhabi Hosts Festival of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

Abu Dhabi, 10 April 2019:   The City of Abu Dhabi, the Capital of Tolerance and Multiculturalism, will host the second edition of the Festival of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) from April 24-27, 2019, with the participation of a group of Islamic countries under the theme: “One Nation Unified by Benevolent Cooperation, Justice and Tolerance.” 

 

The festival aims to emphasize the message and teachings of Islam in bringing together the different cultures of the world regardless of religion, race and gender. The four-day festival will also promote global awareness of Islamic culture and the role of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)  in fostering cultural diversity, and highlighting elements of heritage, art, music, talents and the diversity of Islamic cuisine.

 

The festival will be held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance, and will unite nations from across the Islamic world in a tailored platform that sheds light on the cultures, traditions and values of the Islamic faith. The festival will address a range of topics, including tolerance as a foundation in Islam, the role of youth in spreading the culture of tolerance, and the importance of tolerance and moderation in worship. 

 

The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, stressed the importance of the festival in building communication bridges with different cultures and conveying a realistic picture of Islamic values. He pointed out that the Abu Dhabi edition of the OIC festival builds on the previous edition in Cairo, and will continue to acquaint the world with the peoples, customs, traditions, folklore and diverse patterns of life in the Islamic countries.

 

Running under the theme ‘One Nation Unified by Benevolent Cooperation, Justice & Tolerance’, the festival is open to all, from Muslims with a keen interest in Islamic affairs, events, heritage and history, to non-Muslim UAE residents and visitors eager to enhance their understanding and knowledge of Islamic culture and its diversity.

 

A key feature of the festival will be the strategic positioning of the Palestine pavilion at the heart of the show, emphasising the State’s importance to the Islamic world and its vital status within Islamic identity. The festival will celebrate Palestinian culture through mediums such as art and short films.

 

Throughout the festival, Islamic scholars and thought leaders will present a number of lectures and workshops that highlight different aspects of Islamic culture and offer a non-traditional image of Islam that transcends doctrinal misconceptions and shape a more comprehensive understanding of Islam as a way of life. Other highlights include sessions on the basics of calligraphy, presentations of the biography of the Prophet Mohammad, storytelling by renowned children's authors and more.

 

The Egyptian capital, Cairo, hosted the launch of the OIC Festival in February 2019 with the participation of a number of Member States. The festival in Abu Dhabi is scheduled to feature a documentary about the achievements and ongoing works of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and follows the UAE capital’s hosting of the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC Member States, in March, 2019, under the theme ‘50 years of Islamic Cooperation: a roadmap for prosperity and development’.

 

The Festival, which will be held in Hall7 at ADNEC, is open from 2pm to 8pm on 24 April, 12pm to 8pm on 25 and 27 April, and from 4pm to 10pm on 26 April. Entry is free for all.