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The Year of Tolerance and Qasr Al Watan - Middle East Business News and Information
Former president of the United Arab Emirates, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, declared 2019 to be the Year of Tolerance in the UAE . The UAE government champions coexistence among different faiths and nations, and by declaring 2019 as the year of tolerance , the country highlighted its openness to other cultures.
In February of that year, His Holiness Pope Francis visited the country upon the invitation of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. This marked a significant milestone in the relationship between the Muslim and Catholic churches. A month later, in March, the Palace of the Nation, Qasr Al Watan, started welcoming visitors . Qasr Al Watan was completed and has commenced its official function as the presidential working palace in 2017, but it was closed to the public until the Year of Tolerance, 2019.
To further honor the UAE's declared commitment to maintaining harmonious interfaith relations, Qasr Al Watan created a special exhibit. Specifically, the House of Knowledge displayed these three holy books together : The Holy Quran
The Holy Bible
The Book of David's Psalms About Qasr Al Watan
Qasr Al Watan is a grandiose all-white palace set by the Arabian Gulf at the western edge of Abu Dhabi Island. It was constructed primarily to serve as the presidential complex, but it has since evolved into an awe-inspiring tribute to the UAE culture .
It's true that Qasr Al Watan is an architectural masterpiece. The pristine white façade that gleams in the sunlight, the domes shot with delicate gold patterns, the book-matched marble walls and floors, and the glimmering crystal chandeliers—they are all irresistibly lovely. However, Qasr Al Watan is, first and foremost, a center for learning. Notable Qasr Al Watan Zones
Qasr Al Watan's publicly accessible areas are divided into several zones. The zones include the following: 1. The Great Hall
The Great Hall is the heart of Qasr Al Watan. Spanning 100 square meters (1,076 square feet), it is the palace's largest and most elaborate hall , and its vastness and opulence are what will greet you when you first go through the palace's gigantic doors.
The Great Hall will immediately immerse you in its grandeur. Every piece of marble and gilding is flawless, and all surfaces, columns, arches, floors, and ceilings are adorned with intricate Arabic and Islamic patterns . They're extraordinary but never overwhelming, as they all seamlessly blend into a harmonious design.
Look for the mirrored cubes stationed in the four corners of the Hall. Go inside and look at the patterns on the walls, floors, and ceilings with fresh eyes. The cubes act as a filter and provide unique perspectives on the Hall's motifs.
While at the Great Hall, proceed to the center and look up. The central dome is a masterpiece. It has a diameter of 37 meters (121 feet) and soars 60 meters (197 feet) from the ground. 2. The Spirit of Collaboration
Step into the Spirit of Collaboration, where influential political and administrative leaders gather to dictate UAE and regional policy. This circular chamber serves as the official meeting place for the UAE's Federal Supreme Council, as well as summits of the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The hall's most striking feature is the domed ceiling , adorned with gold-leaf designs and a massive 350,000-crystal chandelier. 3. Qasr Al Watan Library
Qasr Al Watan Library is one of the most impressive public libraries in Abu Dhabi, so make sure to visit it during your tour of Qasr Al Watan. At the entryway, a pair of towering bookshelves will greet you. They extend multiple stories to frame the vast, 12-wing hall.
Qasr Al Watan Library has more than 50,000 Arabic and English books in print; it has more in digital editions. There is a dedicated room for the library's rare books; there are approximately 2,000 volumes in this collection.
The library is managed by the Department of Culture and Tourism . If you have a DCT Abu Dhabi library card, you can even borrow books to take home. 4. The House of Knowledge
The House of Knowledge houses permanent exhibits of artifacts that represent the Arab world's rich intellectual heritage. It holds a compendium of the Arabs' major contributions to global knowledge and scholarship. Displayed are works by renowned Arab scholars, ancient medical texts, astronomical instruments, and beautifully preserved Arabic calligraphy and cartography.
Note: By the way, outside the House of Knowledge is a golden, spherical Arabic calligraphy sculpture created by Mattar Bin Lahej. It's his artistic interpretation of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's words, particularly the one about wealth not being money or oil but people. Journey Into the Palace
Qasr Al Watan is a palace complex that houses the offices of the UAE president. In 2019, it started welcoming visitors to coincide with the Year of Tolerance in the UAE.
It's a beautiful and majestic place, certainly, but its greatest value lies in the valuable insight it provides into Arab artistry, craftsmanship, and scholarship.
