The UAE has become a prime example of how people from diverse backgrounds can live together in peace and harmony. This year marked the Year of Tolerance where we saw the launch of different laws, initiatives, and policies promoting tolerance in the Emirates and abroad. As the year comes to an end, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has honoured 14 personalities and initiatives in the country.
Throughout 2019, we have been constantly reminded of the importance of tolerance, of living in tolerance, and how only through acceptance of others will the world be able to thrive and prosper. For me, the most important takeaway from this year was being reminded how important tolerance is in the business world too. By accepting others, we open our minds to learning opportunities and enhance our business operations at the same time.
How many times have you come across business owners or managers who weren’t tolerant to anyone else’s point of view? There are some who only want to do things their way. How discouraging is it to work in such an environment? More often than not, those who aren’t open to the ideas or advice of those around them often end up facing difficult challenges, losing out in the long run.
As we celebrate our nation’s 48th national day tomorrow, here are three lessons businesses could learn from the UAE’s Year of Tolerance.
Work together to achieve targets
Last week, Sheikh Mohammed honoured 14 personalities and initiatives that contributed to this year’s success, reminding us of the importance of team work. When you build a business, you may feel that you know your enterprise more than others, that you care about it the most, that no one would mentally invest in it as much as you do. But that’s not always good for your business. When you delegate and involve different people, you make room for creativity.
You can then allow yourself to breathe and take a step back to see the bigger picture. As clichéd as this may sound, one hand cannot clap. When we look back over 2019 and see how many celebrations, trips, initiatives, meetings and laws have been passed in honour of this year, we see how so much can be achieved if we put our heads together. When you work with others towards a goal, deadlines are not as daunting and targets seem more achievable.
The importance of dialogue and learning
Just because you know a great way of doing something, it doesn’t mean there aren’t alternatives or equally great ways to achieve the same thing. This brings us to the importance of learning and knowledge. If we limit ourselves to one source of knowledge, we limit our horizons and possibilities too.
Imagine how narrow our world would be if we refused to learn about anything that wasn’t from our region or had to do with our culture? I personally get inspired most when I travel to somewhere completely unexpected or when I read outside my areas of interest. My personality has developed enormously from interacting with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I have my most interesting conversations with people that have nothing to do with my background, and I’ve been adopting this mentality at work. It’s imperative for me to listen to the suggestions and ideas of others, because I know that’s an essential way to develop both personally and professionally.
Tolerance enhances customer relationship
Many businesses involve customer interaction and that often means dealing with people from different backgrounds, cultures, religions and expectations. Customers look for brands that understand them, speak their language and appreciate their point view. Management and customer service are two business divisions that must be tolerant. Team members on the front line need to have open minds, to listen to others and understand where they are coming from. Tolerance translates into respect and being respectful towards your customers and their point of view earns you and your business respect and helps to maintain customer loyalty.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati journalist and entrepreneur, who manages her marketing and communications company in Abu Dhabi
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
More on animal trafficking
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
More on Quran memorisation:
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Inas%20Halabi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENijmeh%20Hamdan%2C%20Kamal%20Kayouf%2C%20Sheikh%20Najib%20Alou%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S
Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm
Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
