UAE Fights Hatred With Tolerance, Says Sheikha Lubna...

EMINENT SPEAKERS CALL FOR SPREADING CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY AND GIVING; SHARJAH'S INITATIVES FOR THE ELDERLY HAILED

HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of State for Tolerance, has called for strengthening and spreading the UAE's culture of tolerance to meet the unprecedented challenges of extremism and violence in a fast changing world.

Speaking at the second session of the Sharjah Ramadan Majlis last night (Wednesday, May 31) on the topic of Philanthropy, Humanity and Tolerance in UAE' in line with the UAE's Year of Giving Initiative at Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi emphasised that tolerance has been at the core of the UAE as a nation and society.

We in the UAE inherited a culture of tolerance firstly because of our Islamic teachings and beliefs that teach us to be tolerant; and secondly, because of the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the visionary founding president of the UAE, and other architects of the UAE, who strongly believed in tolerance and acceptance of others, she said.

The late Sheikh Zayed always talked about humanity, not just Muslims, welcoming people from around the world and more than 200 nationalities, she pointed out.

Addressing the popular Sharjah Ramadan Majlis, being hosted by Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) and Sharjah Media Corporation, in the presence of a galaxy of senior UAE and Sharjah officials, intellectuals and scholars, the first female minister of the UAE and the world's first Minister of Tolerance, recalled the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, emphasising that the Ministry of Tolerance has been created in order to reject hatred and promote peace.

National Programme of Tolerance

Talking about the National Programme of Tolerance (NPT) initiative, launched by the UAE in partnership with the public and private sector, she said the goal of this extraordinary initiative is to promote a cohesive, happy and tolerant society.

We in the UAE have an ideal society; we have peace and law and order. However, it is a different, dangerous world out there which some of our young people get exposed to thanks to social media. We need to protect our children by promoting tolerance and peace, she said, emphasising that every person living in the UAE is part of the NPT initiative.

She said that the UAE is seen and referred to around the world as a progressive country because of its culture of tolerance and philanthropy, giving back to the world.

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi said that the UAE is focussed on its youth as they represent the future of the nation and form the majority in the population. We have a Youth Ministry that is aimed at reaching out to and addressing the issues and concerns of this young segment of the population. When the youth are neglected, it leads to chaos in society, she added, calling for adopting and speaking the language of today's youth to understand their concerns, issues and challenges.

We have to prepare for and foresee the future. The world is changing fast, thanks to technology. We must prepare for the future by adapting these changes, she emphased.

Philanthropy and Culture of Giving

Speaking on the issue of philanthropy and culture of giving, in line with the UAE's Year of Giving initiative, Dr Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent, said that Sharjah is close to his heart because of its various humanitarian initiatives, hailing the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, as the Sultan of Culture, Knowledge and Philanthropy.'

Underlining the importance of philanthropy, Dr Hamdan Al Mazrouei said this is something that you do not have to do but something that you wish and love to do. Quoting a study, he said that philanthropy positively impacts all those involved in it in numerous ways physically, mentally and psychologically.

When you do voluntary work and help someone, you feel instantly happy and gratified. You are healthier and happier, he added. Quoting a hadith of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, he said that a person who helps someone in distress is like fighting in the way of Allah. Philanthropy and voluntary work help a society in crisis. It helps address the shortcomings and gaps of a society.

Sharjah as Age Friendly City

Speaking about Sharjah's joining the WHO Network of Age Friendly Cities, Afaf Al Marri, Chairperson of the Supreme Committee for Preparing Sharjah to Join the Global Network for Age Friendly Cities, said under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Emirate has undertaken a number of measures to make Sharjah ready for its new role and responsibilities.

The World Health Organisation looked at various projects and initiatives undertaken by Sharjah such as providing world-class healthcare and health insurance to all and mobile clinic, mobile elderly care unit etc. before admitting the Emirate into its global network of Age Friendly Cities. After Sharjah joined the WHO network in September 2016, all Sharjah government entities and departments were ordered to implement all necessary measures and initiatives in line with the WHO criteria.

Talking about various measures implemented by the Emirate to cater to senior citizens, she said in addition to fully equipped mobile clinics, the Emirate boasts mobile dental clinics and nursing units for people who need 24/7 care or either abandoned and neglected by their families and these services are available across the Emirate.

Al Marri said that philanthropy and volunteer initiatives need organisational support, pointing out that Sharjah Social Services Department boasts more than a thousand vo

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