UAE schools to teach religious tolerance

Abu Dhabi - Bid to inculcate universal values of tolerance and coexistence among all religions

The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) has included the principles of the Human Fraternity Document, which was signed in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019, in its national curriculum.

Topical lessons have been made out of the one-of-a-kind document for Emirati pupils.

The move upholds the intrinsic values of tolerance and coexistence among all religions, Hussein Al Hammadi, Minister for Education, said on Sunday during his speech at the virtual forum for Promoting the Principles of the Human Fraternity in Governmental Work.

The initiative is a part of the five-day celebrations on the kinship theme that started on February 4.

Al Hammadi said the country’s wise and visionary leadership’s imprint was evident in the novel initiative.

“The UAE is making continuous efforts to translate the values of tolerance contained in the Human Fraternity Document into a top priority for ministries, institutions and bodies concerned with education, culture and society,” he said.

“The ministry has published and circulated the document to schools and instructed all concerned to design educational and training programmes for faculty members. The document calls for peace and rapprochement among people, the role of inter-religions dialogue and the rejection of violence that undermines the spirit of tolerance amid the unprecedented healthcare crisis owing to the Covid-19 pandemic,”

Al Hammadi stressed that the international community’s celebration of the International Day of Human Fraternity and the signing of the document underlined the success of the UAE’s policy and its wise and visionary leadership in putting forth several historical initiatives and humanitarian measures that have contributed to spreading the culture of tolerance far and wide.

He pointed out that the culture of coexistence and fraternity shouldn’t be construed as a recent initiative, but it has been prevalent in the Arabian Gulf region since ancient times.

Hessa Buhumaid, Minister for Community Development, also spoke on the occasion. She said that UAE was founded in 1971 on the values of Arabism, unity and the art of giving.

“The UAE was and still is a homeland for achieving happiness through the principles of Human Fraternity Document. The document showcases

the country’s efforts, its leadership and humanitarian initiatives. It chronicles fraternity, affection and loyalty among people and nations across the world,” she said.

She cited that happiness would top the chart as a common denominator among humans that transcend borders, languages, culture and nationalities.

“These principles, which are being propagated by our wise and visionary leadership, are easy to understand for one and all,” she added.

She said that mature societies such as the UAE would always place utmost importance to values.

“Besides, positive governments adopt policies and legislation that support the principles of human fraternity and lay emphasis on tolerance, coexistence, and multiculturalism in a bid to achieve sustainable development goals and spread happiness in a society,” she added.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi