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HE Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, head of the World Muslim Communities Council, affirmed that the UAE is an integrated model for tolerance and co-existence among the owners of different sects and religions.

"The UAE is the most successful economic, social and cultural model in the world, achieving the highest levels of happiness and providing the best lifestyle for people from all over the world." he said.

HE added that the Interfaith Conference of religious Leaders in Astana in the coming period was an excellent opportunity for interaction and dialogue among the various religions and beliefs of the world.

HE Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi mentioned in an interview with “Wakal” that there is an international consensus that the UAE is the perfect model of tolerance and co-existence between the owners of all communities, sects and religions in the world.

More than 200 nationalities from different countries and hundreds of sects, beliefs and cultures live and enjoy life in the UAE. Everyone is happy with his life and wishes to raise his children in this country because everyone practices the duties of his religion, rituals and worship in full freedom.

He added that the government of the UAE has allowed all sects and religions to build their places of worship and practice their religion freely. The history of the United Arab Emirates has not witnessed in the half past century a single incident relating to religious or racial reasons; furthermore, there has never been a ban on the practice of religion."

Stressing that the UAE is the state that calls for tolerance and practice it without the existence of an atom of difference between what it calls for and what it does in fact.

He referred to examples that can not be limited, namely the anti-hate law, the criminalization of discrimination, and the rejection of the contempt of religions issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him, which is the first of its kind in the world and then Germany, France, Britain and the European Union began to consider issuing Similar laws.

Al Nuaimi explained the tradition of the UAE in allocating free zones and lands for people of all faiths to build their houses of worship, but also providing financial assistance to religious people who can not build suitable places of worship...That is an example of the spirit of tolerance.

He continued: "It is also an example of the absence of any crimes of discrimination, hatred, events that is racially motivated or religious intolerance in the UAE, As well as positive coexistence, cooperation, working together, learning together and participating together in all aspects of life in the UAE."

He added that those who look at malls, schools and universities are going to find carnival of human colours, nationalities and religions; no one feels rejection or superiority.

Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi said that the National Program for Tolerance in the UAE is based on firmed foundation and true understanding of the true religion of Islam and the proper representation of the traditions of Prophet's year of life; blessings and peace be upon him, that shaped the values and morals of the founding fathers of the UAE;-primarily Sheikh Zayid bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Raschid bin Said Al Maktum, may Allah have mercy upon them.

He added that the National Program for Tolerance was based on the rules of the Constitution and law of the UAE, which is equal to all human beings, and does not differentiate or discriminate between them on the basis of religion, sect, creed, colour or sex; but it considers that all those who commit these crimes must be punished. This program was founded as well on the UAE's commitment to the established laws and international conventions and agreements.

He continued; "This program stems from the vision of the good leadership that anticipates the future, prepares and plans for it. The leadership believes that the future is for the multiple societies, which are open to all human competencies; furthermore, that the successful economy is based on attracting the best minds and human competencies." 

He stressed that this program reflects the nature, culture and customs of the UAE society, which comes from opening up to all different cultures since the dawn of history. The UAE was the focal point for many cultures for its participation in the most important ways of the global trading routes.

Al-Nuaimi pointed out that Hedayah Center represents the first international institution that works to combat violent extremism, closed thought and religious and cultural Puritanism through the latest means, with a calm and rational speech that knows well the entrances and approaches to convince the younger generations and employs the latest technologies in various languages to deliver positive messages that push young people away from extremism, inward-looking and violence: The philosophy of the Hedayah Center is not about the cursing of darkness and the people who live through it;  quite the contrary, the candles burn everywhere, through the presented positive messages to young people to show them that the path of extremism is the path of destruction and failure and that communities need the positive energies of their children."

He added that "The Hedayah Center is a rare example of combating extremism and violence and at the same time instilling tolerance, positive values and effective coexistence for the benefit of all human beings."

He stressed that the UAE has achieved the highest levels of happiness and provided the best lifestyle for people from all over the world to live in. This is not only because of the existence of services and high levels of economy, but the characteristic of this model because of the provided security and safety to everybody ... Where the rule of law is applicable to all. The UAE is a model of the rule of law that makes life safe and happy.

Dr. Al Nuaimi said that the UAE believes that cultural, social and religious pluralism is the first means to achieve sustainable development, social welfare and economic prosperity, and that the closed societies are doomed to failure and on their way to extinction. The world is no longer likely to have closed societies. 

In fact, the entire world is now seeking to attract rare competencies and capabilities to strengthen human capital which is the main means of comprehensive development.

He stressed that the religious leaders’ conference, which will be held in Astana in the coming period, represents an excellent opportunity for interaction and dialogue between the different religions and beliefs of the world.

Attendance at this conference fulfils two main objectives: inter-community and networking with religious institutions, activities and religious leaders in the world; furthermore, enriching institutions working in the field of tolerance and combating extremism and isolation in the UAE, it is an opportunity to gain new experiences, identify and build relationships with new institutions and figures we have not had the chance to communicate with before.

He added that the second objective is to present the UAE model of tolerance, which is one of the most important tools of the soft power of the United Arab Emirates and to introduce it to those who did not know its basics, values and dimensions; furthermore, explain the reasons for its success and continued prosperity.

Dr. Ali Rashid Al-Nuaimi, head of the World Muslim Communities Council, said that Kazakhstan and its leadership are representing a courageous pioneer model in the Islamic world to combat extremism and violence, offering pioneering initiatives in this field and playing a leading role in one of the most important areas of the Islamic world; Furthermore, They are providing a distinctive model in the development and economic and social progress and therefore their initiative in organizing this conference annually provides an opportunity for the whole world for interaction and dialogue .. The UAE supports this initiative and keen to participate in it in a strong and effective way through a large delegation representing several ministries, administrations and institutions working in Tolerance, coexistence and interreligious dialogue.