نهيان بن مبارك: حكمة قيادتنا وقوة مجتمعنا تعزّزان صمودنا في أوقات التحديات

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, affirmed that the UAE will remain committed to consolidating its civilizational model based on family cohesion and community cohesion, stressing that the family represents the basic foundation for building a nation capable of facing challenges and achieving stability and sustainability.
He said: “The United Arab Emirates is steadfast, capable, and well-established, and under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, it continues its journey with confidence, discipline, and clarity of vision, with a firm commitment to protecting society, preserving its stability, and contributing to spreading peace internally and externally.”
He added: “God has blessed us with wise leadership with a far-reaching vision, and we also derive our strength from our people – citizens and residents – who, with their unity, faith and solidarity, embody the spirit of this country. The wisdom of our leadership and the strength of our community are what strengthen our steadfastness in times of challenges and push us towards greater progress and achievement.”

This came during his opening speech during the “UAE: A Cohesive Family in a Deeply Rooted Homeland” forum, which was organized by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of a large number of religious, intellectual and community leaders, along with ambassadors of brotherly and friendly countries and leaders of tolerance committees in all government institutions.
The forum was also attended by Afra Al-Sabri, Director General of the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Counselor Muhammad Abdel Salam, Secretary-General of the Council of Muslim Elders, where its sessions focused on the role of the Emirati family, with its various generations, in protecting society, its cohesion, preserving its capabilities, and contributing to its renaissance.
In addition to the opening speech of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the forum included speeches from a number of participating religious leaders who stressed that the UAE represents a unique model of tolerance, empathy and human coexistence, where everyone lives within its confines without discrimination, under values ​​​​based on respect and cooperation. Therefore, true belonging to the UAE is embodied in strengthening the responsibility of positive citizenship for everyone, and that religions are the best expression of these values.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan explained that the theme of the forum reflects a fundamental fact that the strength of the family stems from a shared history and solid values, whose roots are derived from faith, and whose continuity is from wise and responsible leadership that provides a role model. He pointed out that the family constitutes the foundation upon which a cohesive nation is built, capable of standing steadfastly in the face of various challenges.
He stressed that all religions and beliefs agree that the family is a great trust and a source of mercy, and it is the first environment in which a person learns the meanings of love, commitment and responsibility, and that individuals derive their strength from their families, while nations derive their stability and continuity from the strength and cohesion of these families.
Regarding the need to benefit from the momentum represented by the “Year of the Family,” he stressed that the role of religious leaders is pivotal, and that he is confident in their ability to continue their noble mission in promoting the values ​​that distinguish Emirati society, which are based on compassion, moderation, progress, and unity, which are values ​​rooted in the country’s history and rooted in its authentic traditions.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan also stressed that the UAE continues its path with stability and confidence, thanks to its wise leadership, pointing out that the state is working with a clear vision and a firm commitment to protect society and maintain stability, in addition to its active role in supporting peace regionally and internationally, as the strength of the state is not based only on its material capabilities, but rather on its moral and spiritual system, which is manifested in the unity and cohesion of its people, whether citizens or residents.
He added that the cohesion of Emirati society, based on faith, solidarity and compassion, represents one of the most prominent elements of the state’s strength, noting that the wisdom of leadership and the strength of the people together constitute a basic pillar for confronting challenges and pushing the wheel of development towards further achievements.
He pointed out that religious leaders are at the forefront of protecting these values, because they have an influential role in guiding families and enhancing their sense of belonging to a cohesive society, so that working for peace turns from a mere slogan into a conscious choice that requires the courage to adhere to the truth, while preserving the spirit of compassion and humanity. Above all, I call on you to affirm your confidence in this nation, and in its continuing strength, security, and unity, through your leadership, message, and actions.
He said: “The strength of the UAE is not only material, but rather a deep moral and spiritual strength, which lies in its leadership, its unity, its commitment to progress, and the daily behavior of its society, which is based on dignity, respect and understanding. In this national goal, your role remains essential and indispensable. Let us remember that moments of tension do not define us in this country, but rather what defines us is how we respond to them: with pure hearts, conscious minds, and unity of purpose, and this is the steadfastness of the United Arab Emirates. A steadfastness based on faith, strengthened by society, and led by a wise leadership approach.”
He stressed that what distinguishes the UAE is not its absence of challenges, but rather its ability to deal with them with wisdom and balance, through sincere hearts, conscious minds, and a unity of purpose that unites everyone under the banner of the nation, calling on God to preserve the UAE, to bless its leadership and its people, to bless the efforts aimed at supporting families and strengthening the cohesion of society, and to perpetuate the country with the blessing of security, stability, and prosperity, so that it remains a global model of tolerance, coexistence, and progress.
For their part, the religious leaders participating in the forum affirmed that Emirati society represents a unique human model that embodies the concept of one family, and reflects the vision of its wise leadership in consolidating the values ​​of tolerance, coexistence, societal unity, and respect for religious and cultural diversity, which has made the Emirates a comprehensive homeland that embraces everyone without discrimination.
They emphasized that the family is the cornerstone of building stable societies and nations, praising the UAE’s role in providing an environment in which everyone lives in peace and respect, without discrimination, in a way that enhances the values ​​of human brotherhood and coexistence.
For his part, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar for South Arabia, on behalf of the Catholic Church, expressed deep gratitude to the Emirati leadership for the continuous support, care and protection it provides to all, praising the prominent role of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, in promoting the culture of interfaith dialogue.
He pointed out that the UAE represents a country where people of different religions and cultures come together within the framework of one family where respect and peaceful coexistence prevail, praising the availability of places of worship, especially on religious occasions, and stressing that interfaith dialogue contributes to building a more fraternal and cohesive society.
For his part, Sterling Jensen, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – in Abu Dhabi, stressed that the family is the basic foundation of human dignity, social stability and sustainable peace, considering that the Emirati model in promoting family values ​​reflects a deep understanding of the role of the family as an incubator of human values ​​and coexistence, especially in the Year of the Family.
Rajkumar Vasudeo Shroff, Chairman of the Committee and Management of the Hindu Temple in Dubai, expressed his happiness with all segments of Emirati society that stands united with the leadership of the UAE, praising the solid values ​​​​based on tolerance, unity, and peace, and stressing the Hindu community’s respect for the role of the Emirati leadership in maintaining stability and prosperity.
In turn, Pastro Ray Galea expressed his gratitude for the invitation to participate in the forum, and praised the exceptional leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” which presented an inspiring model of wisdom and dealing with challenges with a human spirit based on unity and solidarity, stressing that the forum’s slogan reflects the truth of the belief that cohesive families are the foundation of prosperous societies.
Dr. Thompson George Plavilel emphasized that faith and family constitute the essential foundation for the prosperity of societies and the building of nations, pointing out that the strength of countries is not measured by material capabilities only, but also by spiritual and moral values, and that the family is the first school for instilling the values ​​of tolerance, responsibility and peace.
For his part, Reverend Bishoy Imad Fakhri Amin Salib, on behalf of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church, expressed the church’s full solidarity with the leadership and people of the Emirates, praising the security, peace and human coexistence that the country enjoys, stressing that the Emirates was and remains a true homeland in which everyone feels a sense of belonging without alienation.
Pastor Emile Anwar Salib, from the Arab Evangelical Church in Dubai, also stressed that societal unity in the Emirates represents a living testimony to humanity’s ability to stand together in times of challenge, stressing that true solidarity is based on compassion, respect, and a sincere desire for the good of others.
Reverend Boutros Fadel, pastor of the Arab Evangelical Church in Abu Dhabi, expressed his pride in belonging to an Emirati society that was able to reconcile security, development and coexistence, stressing that the state’s generous giving to citizens and residents has strengthened everyone’s sense of belonging and made the Emirates a second homeland that embraces their dreams.
Rev. John Zakaria, pastor of the Diocese of Sharjah, stressed that the UAE is a true model of peaceful coexistence, calling for unity to be considered a shared responsibility, based on respect for difference and walking together in the path of peace.
In the same context, Dr. Hisham Youssef, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Evangelical Church, affirmed the Church’s deep appreciation for the leadership of the Emirates and the role of the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in consolidating the national fabric, stressing that the Church and its children stand united behind the wise leadership.
In turn, Surinder Singh Kandhari, head of the Guru Nanak Darbar Temple in Dubai, expressed his pride in the spirit of unity in Emirati society, pointing to the temple’s commitment to the principles of equality, service, and the unity of humanity.
Sona Kazanjian, Director General of the Evangelical Church and Secretary of the Gulf Council of Churches, pointed out that the UAE gave everyone the feeling of a true family, based on the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “may God rest his soul,” and which continued during the reign of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” stressing that diversity in the country was never a cause of division, but rather a source of strength.
Archimandrite Alex Morse Abu Haidar (Parthanios), from the Greek Orthodox Archbishopric in Abu Dhabi, stressed that the Church is an authentic partner in building the nation, and that the family constitutes the “home church” and the first nucleus of society’s stability, praising the Emirati model of embracing more than 200 nationalities in harmony and peace.
In conclusion, everyone stressed that the United Arab Emirates will remain a global model for a cohesive human society, a single family, and a nation deeply rooted in its values, leadership, and people.
(loan)