Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, has unveiled a plaque on the pedestrian bridge spanning the Dubai Water Canal, revealing its new name – Tolerance Bridge.
The bridge was named on the annual International Day for Tolerance which was celebrated on Thursday, state news agency WAM reported.
Sheikh Nahyan said: “The UAE’s leadership has established a consistent approach to making tolerance an integral part of our society. Since its inception, the UAE has attracted millions of people from around the world, who were drawn to its values that are based on coexistence, tolerance and cultural acceptance.”
He added: “We have more than 200 nationalities living and working in the UAE. At a time when hate speech, discrimination and non-acceptance of the other are spreading, we find value in otherness, appreciating the contributions made by different cultures and experiences that enrich us. The UAE will itself remain a bridge that connects people from around the world, and a centre for tolerance, acceptance and togetherness.”
He said various cultural, artistic and community-based activities, events and programmes will take place throughout the year on Tolerance Bridge.
It will host singers and bands from around the world and will be a place where acceptance, tolerance and understanding prevail, and symbolises connectivity between cultures and peoples, he added.
Dubai Water Canal was opened last November and is one of Dubai’s most unique cultural landmarks, linking the Business Bay area with the Arabian Gulf, is 3.2km in length and adds 6.4km to the waterfront.
In 2016, the UAE announced the creation of the world’s first Ministerial post of Tolerance and has adopted the National Programme for Tolerance.
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