Scholar lauds Zayed for imbibing tolerance values in UAE people

Dr Farhat Hashmi speaks at a session at the Dubai Women's Association. - Supplied photo

Renowned Islamic scholar Dr Farhat Hashmi, who is listed among the most influential Muslims of the world for 2019, visited Dubai to address a gathering of over 500 women.
In a two-hour session titled 'Love for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)' held at the Dubai Women's Association in Deira, Dr Hashmi spoke on the importance of tolerance, by narrating incidents from life of the Prophet, and reminding people of the strong principles and positive values followed by the founding father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
She went on to talk about the prophet's clemency and forbearance, as he embraced plurality and diversity, representing the authentic culture of Islam. She said these values were strongly emulated by the late Sheikh Zayed, an icon of tolerance.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, she said: "The prosperity of a nation depends on the principles and foundations laid by its leadership. A man of strong Islamic principles, the late Sheikh Zayed often spoke of the importance of the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the conduct of his own life and those of others."
Dr Hashmi, who runs a number of Islamic institutes in Pakistan and Canada, added: "It was because the late Sheikh Zayed was such a visionary with innate goodness, his country has imbibed that character of goodness in it. Emulating Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the late Sheikh Zayed inculcated the sense of love, care and brotherhood among his people so that they love him and he loved and took care of them."
Applauding the UAE Government on its declaration of 2019 as Year of Tolerance, Dr Hashmi said: "The leadership of this country has not only fulfilled its responsibilities by providing facilities for their people but also have brought about a change in their attitude, transforming them into becoming positive, happy, united and peace-loving people. It is amazing and fascinating to see people of so many nationalities, religions, backgrounds living together in peace and harmony," the scholar added.
Giving the definition of tolerance as the ability or willingness to understand and bear opinions or behaviours that one does not necessarily agree with, Dr Hashmi said: "The world can become a better place if we make an effort to empathise with others sufferings irrespective of their nationalities, backgrounds and rise above differences by accepting them then surely it will lead us to success, happiness and prosperity. And this is what the founder of the UAE also practiced and preached."
saman@khaleejtimes.com