One of the characteristics of successful diplomacy is that it promotes solutions, supports the shift from managing crisis and conflict to solving them, and tackles their root causes instead of exhausting resources on their symptoms only.
In this sense, religious diplomacy is an enhancement of cultural sustainability. Cementing values of co-existence and equal citizenship undermines policies built on identity seclusion and rupture with others that fabricate a confrontational environment.
The inauguration of the Abrahamic Family House in February and its opening to the public on Wednesday are landmarks in the march of the UAE towards promoting the values of tolerance, co-existence and interfaith dialogue. It is the most prominent Emirati contribution so far this year to cultural sustainability and religious diplomacy, and is part of the Emirates’ Year of Sustainability.
Religious diplomacy has become an essential tool in UAE foreign policy. As the complex was inaugurated on February 16, President Sheikh Mohamed wrote on Twitter that “building bridges of communication, coexistence and co-operation among all is the consistent approach of the UAE in its journey ... The Abrahamic Family House is an edifice for constructive, civilised dialogue and a platform for convergence for peace and human brotherhood”.
Based on the dynamic of celebrating cultural diversity and an appreciation of dialogue and communication, we are actually enhancing stability and preserving resources and energy. This is the spirit of sustainability in its comprehensive framework, concerned with making successful and just policies in the present for a better future for us and future generations.
Abdallah bin Bayyah, chairman of the UAE’s Fatwa Council, says that humanity has many common denominators, but the negligence of these and the stoking of idiosyncrasies instead have led to destruction and many wars.
Such realisation has become more urgent today because there is a global increase in “identity policies” that require a search for new tools and methods to confront these challenges and enhance values of coexistence. Thus, design initiatives protect diversity, tolerance and dialogue.
The role of religious communities, spiritual leaders and scholars is key to achieving these goals, narrowing the space of seclusion and prejudice, as well as fighting extremism and ideologies of ethnic or cultural supremacy.
I think we need more steps to enhance cultural sustainability and empower religious diplomacy. According to Nickolay Mladenov, director general of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, this is not necessarily an easy step because “many people need training to enhance diplomacy supported by religion”.
Therefore, it is important to join hands to ensure that religion serves as a genuine and dynamic source for peace, progress and prosperity in the 21st century.
I think we need more steps to enhance cultural sustainability and empower religious diplomacy
With the increasing number of hotspots across the world, there is more need to benefit from all efforts to help de-escalate tensions, enhance stability and contain violent acts and evil forms of incitement and hatred.
In this context, spiritual and religious leaders can play an influential role in promoting peace, fraternity, solidarity, benevolence and co-existence as well as safeguarding human dignity and rights.
It is also equally important to prepare diplomats to appropriately and tactfully deal with enablers that faiths and spiritual leaders have, such as faiths’ role in bringing awareness to individuals, building their identity or shaping ideas and motives for their behaviour. These faiths can also contribute to creating a healthy narrative to facilitate conflict resolution and encourage tolerance, honesty, integrity and solidarity while refraining from violating the rights of those who are vulnerable, poor and less powerful.
The necessity for religious diplomacy to play a much more significant role in the diplomatic actions of states, and regional and international organisations stems from another basic fact: that conflicts and struggles start when conditions of co-existence and tolerance are no longer met in a given community.
More from Dr Ebtesam Al Ketbi
Amid a stalled political dialogue between conflicting parties, their priorities, interests and goals start to diverge, ending up in extreme viewpoints and non-acceptance of the other based on religious, sectarian, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Then, each conflicting party would seek the help of external powers whose intervention can complicate the crisis and make it spill over into the whole region.
Recognising the need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and co-operation among people, the UN General Assembly urged all states to observe World Interfaith Harmony Week at the start of February.
It is not acceptable to overlook the significance of dialogue among religious scholars and spiritual leaders to inform religious thought so as to make it more flexible, realistic and focused on public interests.
As such, this will eventually lead to a cross-fertilisation where actors can approach issues and topics from a more balanced and holistic angle. Consequently, realistic calculations and diplomatic balances would be evident in religious scholars and spiritual leaders’ discourses and orientations.
Moreover, the added value generated by those scholars and leaders during these interactions can be incorporated in diplomatic policy which, in return, can render such a policy more acceptable, richer, deeper, more holistic and more sustainable.
That being said, the need to search for the opportunities and possibilities where religious diplomacy can contribute more to consolidating co-existence and tolerance, rejecting violence and extremism, and resolving conflicts, has even become more urgent in present.
SQUADS
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Strait of Hormuz
Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Borussia Dortmund, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
the pledge
I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance
I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice
I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own
I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself
I pledge to live in harmony with my community
I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness
I pledge to do my part to create peace for all
I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community
I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity
More on animal trafficking
The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km
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LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Review: Tomb Raider
Dir: Roar Uthaug
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Daniel Wu, Walter Goggins
two stars
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Most match wins on clay
Guillermo Vilas - 659
Manuel Orantes - 501
Thomas Muster - 422
Rafael Nadal - 399 *
Jose Higueras - 378
Eddie Dibbs - 370
Ilie Nastase - 338
Carlos Moya - 337
Ivan Lendl - 329
Andres Gomez - 322
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Dunki
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
LEADERBOARD
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
