Tuks, UAE embassy host colloquium on tolerance
“when we are intolerant we start to destroy each other. We lose more than we gain."
The United Arab Emirates embassy in Pretoria, in collaboration with the Centre of Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, hosted the 2019 year of tolerance colloquium on leadership recently.
This two-day conference discussed how religious and community leaders could play a role in a more stable, peaceful and tolerant society.
Leaders of various faiths including Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, shared their doctrines on peace and living together in harmony.
“The event highlighted the UAE’s dedication to welcoming people of all backgrounds and beliefs and its role in encouraging peace and stability beyond its borders,” said spokesperson Mashudu Malema.
“Being home to over 200 nationalities and over 40 churches of different Christian denominations; a Sikh temple and several Hindu temples, the UAE has been intentional about creating religious and cultural diversity – and aims to promote the same globally.
“Each country should have a programme to eliminate problems of tolerance,” said UAE ambassador to South Africa Mahash Alhameli.
“When we are intolerant we start to destroy each other,” said archbishop Antonius Marcus of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
“We lose more than we gain.
“Embracing tolerance in Africa and the rest of the globe will make the world a better place to live in.
“In Hebrew, the word for peace is shalom which is derived from one of the names of God,” rabbi Julia Margolis told delegates.
“It is the root word for ‘complete’ or ‘whole’ implying that only when there is a true state of ‘wholeness’ meaning that everything is ‘complete’ does true ‘peace’ reign. This the same for the directly related Arabic word, Salaam.”
Swami Pujya Brahmavihari Swami in a video presentation to delegates said that “peace is not only important within oneself, but it is highly important to act peaceably toward others”.
Professor Mostafa Bin Miftah, who represented the faith of Islam, added that if people came together united, then there would be no poverty, war or hatred.
Day two of the colloquium consisted of a round table saw keynote speaker Dr Ndileka Mandela of the Thembikile Foundation, on behalf of the Lead Like Mandela Leadership Development Programme, discuss the seven pillars of tolerance as outlined by the UAE.
“The UAE is looking to promote tolerance among different cultures. It seeks to solidify teachings behind tolerance across schools and universities within the South Africa to create a safe, tolerant and cohesive workplace across public and private sector institutions and organisations,” he said.
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