By Mouhamadou M. DIA
The UAE has celebrated Tolerance all year long. It was a remarkable choice that highlights the singularity and specificity of a State defender of universal humanism that both natives and foreigners, even more numerous, who live there, are proud of. Furthermore, they enjoy exceptional hospitality, a guarantee of freedom of worship, safety, respect for cultural diversity and integration into society, at all stages. Thus, twenty (20) Senegalese imams work there; they have been chosen because they are deemed worthy of exercising such vocation which requires competence and responsibility. The practice of Islam in Abu Dhabi and the UAE is, as in Senegal, marked by respect for dogmas, humility, fervor, restraint and all the teachings of the Holy Quran that recognize religious diversity. So, we understand why, Pope Francis received a historic welcome in Abu Dhabi, this year aptly named, where he celebrated a Mass with one hundred thousand Catholic faithful attending. This landmark visit also allowed him to meet the great Imam of Cairo’s Al-Azhar Mosque, Ahmed Mohamed El-Tayeb. The two religious guides signed a “document on human fraternity for world peace and common coexistence” on February 4, 2019. The meeting in Abu Dhabi obviously boosts the Muslim-Christian dialogue and paves the way for a “global living together” in mutual respect, religious tolerance and love of thy neighour, as they are. The fact that this event was held in Abu Dhabi should be magnified because it is indeed a state that advocates and practices religious tolerance. It also respects for humanistic values, with sincerity and generosity. The measures taken in Abu Dhabi are verifiable, and they can be checked indeed, they reflect a political choice, driven by an enlightened vision, masterminded by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE. It is fortunate that this federation flourishes in the service of peace, the dialogue of cultures and bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The year of tolerance
Editorial
The practice of Islam in Abu Dhabi and the UAE is, as in Senegal, marked by respect for dogmas, humility, fervor, restraint and all the teachings of the Holy Quran that recognize religious diversity.
The Abu Dhabi / Dakar axis has existed since the 1970s, under the leadership of President Leopold Sedar Senghor and His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. Therefore, we witness today a renewal, surely spectacular, but which is rooted in a glorious past. Senegal, on the eve of oil era, can take Abu Dhabi as an example to draw on in terms of management of the expected oil income.
Strengthening partnership with the UAE is in the best interest of Africa, in general, and Senegal, in particular. President Macky Sall did not err at all when he made his first international trip to Abu Dhabi after his brilliant re-election on February 24, 2019. This was certainly a mark of friendship and consideration for Emir Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The latter certainly appreciated, to its true value, the act of the head of the State of Senegal. Since then, the Senegalese-Emirati cooperation has moved with the FAST-TRACK time (see our file). The year of Tolerance was one of a spectacular development of cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Africa. This should be welcomed. The Abu Dhabi / Dakar axis has existed since the 1970s, under the leadership of President Leopold Sedar Senghor and His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. Therefore, we witness today a renewal, surely spectacular, but which is rooted in a glorious past. Senegal, on the eve of oil era, can take Abu Dhabi as an example to draw on in terms of management of the expected oil income. The benefits will serve the major interests of the people, improve their standard of living, develop education, at all levels and preserve the legacy of future generations. The political authorities of the UAE are perfect models of enlightened patriotism and insight into economic management. Religious tolerance also opens doors to education in all areas for the purpose of boosting scientific research and conquering the future. Therefore, all paths of knowledge lead to the UAE, the Sorbonne and American universities, artificial intelligence, aircraft construction, training of astronauts (the first Emirati astronaut has just journeyed in the international space station). The UAE is small in size but it plays in the big leagues, those who mark their imprint the great History, a deed by humanity reconciled with itself, which assumes its diversity and its desire to live together. The human family that commemorates Tolerance, peace and friendship between peoples.
