UAE promotes interfaith dialogue in Korea
The UAE Embassy in Seoul hosted an interfaith dialogue on Wednesday, coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan.
The event celebrated the tradition of iftar while underlining the UAE's core value of tolerance.
In his remarks at the event, UAE Ambassador to Korea, Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, underscored his nation's commitment to tolerance and coexistence.
He underscored the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's Founding Father, in promoting these values globally.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who served as the UAE's first president from the country's formation on Dec. 2, 1971, was known for his deep religious faith, generosity and vision for a more connected world.
The ambassador noted that Al Nahyan's legacy continues under Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who has positioned tolerance as a fundamental pillar of the UAE's national identity.
In a press release shared with The Korea Herald on Thursday, the embassy reaffirmed its commitment to advancing dialogue and cooperation among diverse communities to build a more peaceful and tolerant world.
Al Nuaimi highlighted the UAE's commitment to tolerance, citing the example of creating the Ministry of Tolerance and the declaration of 2019 as the "Year of Tolerance."
'Our goal has been to highlight the UAE as a capital for tolerance and a bridge of communication between different cultures,' he said, noting the opening of the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi in 2023 as a milestone.
The complex on Saadiyat Island consists of a mosque, a church and a synagogue, reflecting the deep-rooted value of peaceful coexistence within Emirati culture and its application in daily life.
UAE has established Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in 2016 to implement the National Tolerance Program, endorsed by the Federal Cabinet. The ministry promotes tolerance, pluralism and peaceful coexistence through local and global engagement.
Meanwhile, Al Nuami also underlined UAE-Korea ties built on mutual respect and shared aspirations for peace and prosperity.
The UAE and South Korea established diplomatic ties in 1980, upgrading to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2018, the first in the Middle East. Ten Korean presidents have visited the UAE, with the last four making multiple trips. UAE leaders, including President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have also visited Korea, most recently in 2024.
Since 2011, Korea's Akh Unit has been deployed in the UAE, underpinning military cooperation. The UAE president has called Korea a 'brother country' due to their close ties.
Now-suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol's first-ever state visit to the UAE in January 2023 furthered bilateral cooperation in nuclear power, energy, investment, defense, space, smart farming and health care.
Recognizing the top-down decision-making structure of Middle Eastern countries, Korea seeks to enhance high-level exchanges, with the UAE playing a key role in its National Security Strategy, and seeks to expand collaboration beyond traditional sectors like energy and infrastructure to nuclear power, hydrogen, space, public health and smart farming.
The UAE hosts the largest Korean community in the Middle East and Africa, engaged in diverse occupations and academic fields. South Korea also views the UAE as a brother country.
Al Nuami cited Ramadan as a reminder that our differences can be bridges rather than barriers, with our collective strength lying in our unity.
sanjaykumar@heraldcorp.com
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