Dr Ebtesam Al Ketbi is the president of the Emirates Policy Centre
February 28, 2023
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.
Abu Dhabi's Abrahamic Family House opens to the public on March 1, 2023. Wam
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.
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.
The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, is one of three places of worship celebrating the Abrahamic religions. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The synagogue's ceiling
The alter is inscribed with the Ten Commandments
There is room for 200 people to worship inside the synagogue
The seven arches outside the Eminence Ahmed El Tayeb Mosque represent the days of the week
The mosque has been designed with acoustics in mind
The mosque will be open to worshippers from March 1
St Francis Church can host 300 worshippers
The Catholic church welcomes all denominations of the Christian faith
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.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
5pm: Maiden (Purebred Arabians); Dh80,000; 1,400m. 5.30pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,00; 1,400m. 6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA); Group 3; Dh500,000; 1,600m. 6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (Thoroughbred); Listed; Dh380,000; 1,600m 7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA); Dh70,000; 1,400m. 7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
Abu Dhabi GP starting grid
1 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2 Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
3 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
4 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
5 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
6 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
7 Romain Grosjean (Haas)
8 Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
9 Esteban Ocon (Force India)
10 Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
11 Carlos Sainz (Renault)
12 Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
13 Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
14 Sergio Perez (Force India)
15 Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
16 Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
17 Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
18 Stoffe Vandoorne (McLaren)
19 Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
20 Lance Stroll (Williams)
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Saudi Cup race day
Schedule in UAE time
5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Know your camel milk: Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste. Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk. Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate. Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Omania, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer) 5.30pm: Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m
Winner: Brehaan, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez 6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Craving, Connor Beasley, Simon Crisford 6.30pm: The President’s Cup Prep (PA) Dh100,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle 7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi 7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Fertile De Croate, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Results
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Mudaarab, Jim Crowley (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Hassan Al Hammadi.
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Salima Al Reef, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
Other shows filmed in Ireland include: Vikings (County Wicklow), The Fall (Belfast), Line of Duty (Belfast), Penny Dreadful (Dublin), Ripper Street (Dublin), Krypton (Belfast)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Omar Al Suweidi (46kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (50kg), Khalifa Humaid Al Kaabi (60kg), Omar Al Fadhli (62kg), Mohammed Ali Al Suweidi (66kg), Omar Ahmed Al Hosani (73), all in the U18’s, and Khalid Eskandar Al Blooshi (56kg) in the U21s.
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight Championship AJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Winner: Estihdaaf, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
8.15pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Nordic Lights, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 2 | $450,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm: Handicap | $175,000 (T) | 1,200m
Winner: Mazzini, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
10pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,400m.
Winner: Mubtasim, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
An arms embargo
A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
