Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Culture, the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, has launched several initiatives to celebrate International Day for Tolerance 2017 and promote tolerance, coexistence, harmony, respect for diversity and acceptance of others, while also reflecting the authority’s vision and promoting reading.

To mark the occasion, Dubai Culture’s Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, team launched a number of programmes and events in the outdoor arena of the Al-Futtaim building in cooperation with Al-Futtaim Group, including the ‘Share the Culture of Your Country with Us’ initiative, and an interactive workshop held by the artist Abdul Qader Al-Mubarak, who guided participants in creating a tolerance logo with gypsum.

The event also included a presentation about the message of tolerance shared by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in Arabic and English, as well as a photography corner where the participants could take pictures. Other speeches came from Dhaen Shaheen, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Dubai Culture, and Zuhair Al Haj, Executive Director of the Al-Futtaim Group.

In addition, Dubai Culture showcased the UAE’s heritage and hospitality during the event by providing popular national dishes for the audience and participants. A number of other accompanying activities were held, including competitions by artist Bilal Abdullah.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director-General of Dubai Culture, said, "We at Dubai Culture are keen to establish the basic foundations of the UAE on the value of tolerance instilled by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The UAE is the first country in the world to have established a Ministry of Tolerance to affirm this value in society, which is an exceptional moral project that consolidates the UAE as a destination for harmonious coexistence among all cultures."

As part of the ‘Mind Connect’ programme, the Dubai Public Library launched a series of initiatives under the theme, ‘We read for a more tolerant society’, in support of the National Reading Strategy of 2016-2026.

The event was held recently at the City Walk Dubai and featured several other activities, such as a lecture entitled ‘Power of Tolerance’, a ‘Say Tolerance in All Languages of the World’ activity, a story telling session, a story writing activity, and several related workshops.