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29 March 2024

UAE is model for tolerance and coexistence: Mohammed bin Rashid

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By Staff

UAE leaders are building a nation that will be a model for other nations and a system based on tolerance, openness and coexistence, said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

In an interview with the Newsweek Middle East magazine to mark the launch of its regional copy, Sheikh Mohammed expressed regret at the events in the Arab region and spoke about the mistakes committed by some Arab leaders, including those of Iraq and Libya.

He also talked about the UAE’s economic achievements and plans by Dubai for the future as well as plans by the UAE to send unmanned probes to Mars.

Described by Newsweek as an Arab leader who managed to build a thriving economy, Sheikh Mohammed was asked about the Arab world and where it stands in his agenda.

“This is my region and its people are my brothers, sisters and families..its history is my identity and civilisation…this region is not on my agenda…it is my agenda,” he said.

“What is happening in our region is painful and is on top of my priorities…all of us should shoulder their responsibilities to build the future…the next generations will not respect us unless we make hope for them and build a future for them.”

Sheikh Mohammed said the leadership in the UAE has been working to build a successful model for the region, adding that this model can also be adopted by any nation or people. “This model is based on tolerance, openness and coexistence and on a large set of advanced economic and administrative rules.”

He said this model should also be based on supporting the youth and giving them a chance to build their country as well as on enabling women and tapping their resources.

“What we are doing in the UAE is building a model which is suitable for the entire region with all its complexities, history, and cultural, political and social legacy…we hope our model will be utilized and our doors will always be open for our brothers to build on it.”

The magazine asked Sheikh Mohammed whether he has any advice to end the present political turmoil in the Arab world.

He said:”Well I don’t like speculations nor do I like to come up with a personal philosophy…but through my work and experience over the past year, I have gained knowledge in how to build a successful nation…if we look back to history, we find that the tolerant people can be more successful and developed…tolerance is to begin with…..it comes through education, knowledge, and reading…as you see, education is the key and the future starts at schools.”

Turning to plans by the UAE to send unmanned probes to Mars in 2012, he said:”I am glad you asked this question and I hoped you asked me first why we called it the probe of hope….we called it this name because our young generation needs a project that will restore their confidence in their civilization and hope to their region….we do not look at this plan as a UAE project but an Arab one…we in the region need such types of projects to prove to the world that we, the Arabs, can resume our civilization and develop the human knowledge and that we are able to compete in reaching Mars…the entire project will be carried out by UAE-Arab engineers.”

He described the project as an “investment in man” for the UAE, adding that hundreds of national space scientists and engineers will be qualified and graduated for this purpose. “We in the UAE, have faith in the need for invention…this project is part of our faith because people who do not invent will die and get out of civilization race.”

Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE has a national strategy for space technology, and in renewed energy, education and health, noting that some projects in other sectors are worth many times more than the Mars probe project.

He cited Masdar City, with a total cost of nearly $22 billion, and other major projects in various sectors in Dubai and all emirates.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Newsweek Middle East Publisher Mohammad Salman Iqbal at the inauguration the first issue of magazine. (Supplied)