'Respect all cultures, we're members of one family'

Sharjah - All men and women are children of Adam and Eve and thus members of one human family created by God.

When the widely popular Sharjah Ramadan Majlis opened recently, prominent Arab personalities called on everyone to embrace diversity and respect every culture and tradition of the world.
At the opening session of the majlis' eighth edition, titled 'Nations' Customs.Acquaintance and Converge', Ali Alsaloom - an Emirati media figure and presenter of television shows 'Doroub' and 'Ask Ali'- led the discussions, quoting a famous verse of the holy Quran that says "all men and women are children of Adam and Eve and thus members of one human family created by God".
"In His historic last sermon, Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) asserted that 'all mankind is from Adam and Eve'. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white; (none have superiority over another) except by piety and good action," he said.
Hosted by the Sharjah Press Club of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, in partnership with Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, the Sharjah Ramadan Majlis dedicated its first session to the values of co-existence and mutual respect. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, chairman of Sharjah Media Council, and other dignitaries of the emirate were also present at the event.
Alsaloom, who calls himself a cultural ambassador of the Middle East, said the UAE - being home to more than 200 nationalities - is a "shining example of peaceful coexistence".  Citing the country as an example, he pointed out that a society's strength lies in respecting each other's cultures, beliefs and traditions.
He also quoted extensively from his experience of visiting some 182 destinations across the globe, as part of his travel show 'Doroub'. Travelling the world, he said, is a great way of building bridges between people and cultures and understanding the importance of unity among nations.
Omar Al Othman, the Kuwaiti host of travel show 'Mudon' on Kuwait TV, agreed with Alsaloom, saying that acquainting oneself with different groups of people and cultures can help spark change and pave the way for a better world.
Recalling his experience of visiting countries like Japan, Vietnam, Turkey, Russia and Azerbaijan, Al Othman said the best way of exploring the world is to travel on one's own.
"You do not need friends or family to start the exploration, as people would usually open their homes to welcome you wherever you go," he said.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah