(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Hundreds of dignitaries, officials and members of the public from 70 nationalities marched in a walkathon to celebrate their peaceful coexistence on the International Day of Tolerance. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE's Minister of Tolerance, led the crowd through the City Walk where festive mood, dances and music pervaded the air on Thursday morning.
Residents of all ages dressed in colorful gowns and scarves with the hashtag #Tolerance_Unites_US gathered to cherish the values of harmony and love on the International Day of Tolerance that falls on November 16. The police supercars and motorbikes were on sight for a delightful display to the visitors who continued chatting to the policemen and snapping pictures.
"Everyone in the country and abroad have to think of the impact of accepting the other. Mutual respect and understanding build a healthy foundation necessary for security, stability and general comfort," said Al Nahyan. He stressed on carrying the message of tolerance that the founding fathers have established since the country's formation.
The Walk, which saw Ohoud Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness, and Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, the head of General Security in Dubai among other dignitaries, was organised by the Dubai Police in collaboration with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Tolerance.
Festivities continued later in the evening at Abu Dhabi where different communities gathered in Umm Al Emarat Park to show their own celebration of tolerance in the presence of Sheikh Nahyan.
Brigadier-General Ahmed Khalfan Al Mansouri, secretary general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Tolerance, said the country's laws and tolerance initiatives helped continue the strategic role in making 'coexistence' an important factor of progress and development.
"Ever since the government established a ministry and an award of tolerance, besides the International Institute for Tolerance, we have been seeking ways to open dialogues and spread culture of peace in all sectors of life, far from discrimination and hate," said Al Mansouri. He said through the award, officials are looking to build leaders and specialised national cadres in the field of tolerance.
"We look to show people the true Islamic values that are against any form of extremism. The fact that we have over 200 nationalities living together in harmony is a living testament to the leadership efforts."
On Wednesday, the pedestrian bridge over the Dubai Canal has been named Tolerance Bridge to commemorate the 22nd International Day of Tolerance.
'We are all one' Present at the event, Samer Khallouf of the Guinness World Records, said previous records broken in the UAE were the best proof of its tolerance and diversification. In 2014, the UAE broke the record of the largest number of nationalities singing a national anthem at the same time.
"We are all people at the end of the day. We see upto 40 nationalities in one classroom coming together for education, which proves that borders are nothing," said Khallouf.
Egyptian Ramy Wagdy, French teacher at Cambridge International School in Dubai, was accompanied by students who wore their national dress to celebrate oneness and love. As a UAE resident for the past three years, Wagdy said the UAE succeeded in raising generations that believe in unity and love. "When children grow up in an environment with diverse cultures, they learn that there's no difference between humans."
Echoing similar thoughts was Maria Karkar from Bulgaria, UAE resident for 16 years, who said tolerance is must be a culture practised daily. She said the UAE proved that different nationalities can come together under one umbrella to work and learn for a better future. "Tolerance must be practised from the moment you wake up, until you go to sleep. It must be practised with people less fortunate than you, equal to you and higher than you," said Karkar.
Sherouk Zakaria "Born and raised in UAE, Sherouk Zakaria is a Senior Correspondent at Khaleej Times. Joined since May 2016, she covers Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), special events and humanitarian issues. Her choice of journalism as a career stems from her passion of telling people's stories and writing to inspire or make a difference. In her free time, she's an occasional theater and film actress. Sherouk received her BA in Mass Communications from the American University in Sharjah in 2013. Before joining Khaleej Times, she was a senior lifestyle/entertainment editor for a magazine in Dubai."
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