Communities unite with tolerance message

Abu Dhabi - There were representatives from many countries at the event, all expressing solidarity with the cause.

Thousands of residents from all walks of life came together at Umm Al Emarat Park in the Capital to march for tolerance and harmony in the world.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, opened the Walk Unified event that launched a week-long National Tolerance Festival under the theme 'On Zayed's Approach'.
There were representatives from many countries at the event, all expressing solidarity with the cause.
Ambassadors from India, Pakistan and the Philippines told Khaleej Times that the National Tolerance Festival upholds the values of tolerance, harmony and coexistence among all people.
When Sheikh Abdullah visited the Indian booth, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri showed him the charkha - the spinning wheel. Sheikh Abdullah gladly recollected spinning the charkha at Gandhi Ashram in Gujarat during his visit to India this June.
"I had tried to weave something then too," Sheikh Abdullah said.
Indian Ambassador Suri said the event was a great platform to further promote the vision of the Founding Father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and India's father of nation Mahatma Gandhi.
"This is the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and to have a visual of Gandhiji at the Tolerance Walk reinforces his own enduring commitment to the values of tolerance that the UAE espouses so effectively around the world through the message of Sheikh Zayed," said Suri.
Gandhi Sahithya Vedi Abu Dhabi president V.T.V. Damodaran had flew-in with a charkha earlier this week from his home town of Payyanur in the Indian state of Kerala.
Later, the minister also witnessed the patriotic songs where artists had dressed up in traditional costumes of each country. Among other attractions was an artwork done by Shephali Jumhare.
The Pakistani booth welcomed all walkers with drums, patriotic songs and colourful activities.
Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE Moazzam Ahmad Khan commended the hosting of National Tolerance Festival.
"This not only depicts and shows the real values and teachings of Islam but also corresponds with the cherished legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The values that he taught to his people, the values he always supported and encouraged. As far as Pakistan is concerned we are also a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multilingual society where everybody has equal rights under the constitution. So we are very happy with this initiative."
The Filipino community led by Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn Aurora Quintana actively took part in the walkathon. "We are the third biggest expatriate community in the UAE. We are very happy that diversity and multiculturalism is getting highlighted. And the UAE is unique when it comes to these aspects. We are supporting the nation uphold the principles of social harmony," Hjayceelyn, the new ambassador, said.
Also, athletes from the UAE's Special Olympics team took part in the walkathon. There was also an attempt made to break the Guinness record for the most signatures on a whiteboard.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi