Families are the ‘cornerstone’ of efforts to build tolerance and understanding between different communities and religions, according to His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the UAE’s Minister of State for Tolerance.
In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business, Sheikh Nahayan said that he considers family units “the foundation” upon which future generations of tolerant people will be built, both inside the UAE and abroad.
“Between the family and the school, you mould your future generations,” he said. “They need to be, and you want them to be, good human beings. Global in their thinking, respecting others and understanding that there are many people in this world with different cultures and different religions. They should respect them, as they want to be respected.”
As part of the UAE’s ‘Year of Tolerance’ in 2019, Sheikh Nahayan said that youth play a prominent role in his plans as Minister of Tolerance.
Already, he added, the UAE has begun a programme that celebrates tolerance in local schools as well as launched a training programme to build ‘Champions of Tolerance’.
Additionally, the Ministry is working with women’s organisations in the UAE to strengthen the role of families in promoting tolerance among young people.
“By bringing children and their families together in private and public schools and creating activities that promote tolerance and understanding, we will protect our children from those who are trying to create divisions,” he added. “They will always be there, but we should never be complacent. We should continue to emphasise and drive it through.”
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