Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence
Government ministry of the United Arab Emirates
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence[a] is a government ministry in the United Arab Emirates that is in charge of regulating and maintaining religious tolerance and coexistence between indigenous and overseas communities in the country.
- Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan, Minister for Tolerance
- H.E. Afraa Al Sabri, Director-General
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | February 16, 2016 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Agency executives |
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| Website | tolerance |
History
The ministry was created in February 2016 and was known until 2022 as the Ministry of Tolerance.[1]
The ministry was established in accordance with the National Tolerance Programme, a UAE government initiative of highlighting religious diversity and coexistence among communities in the country. The ministry was the brainchild of UAE Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.[2] Sheikha Lubna Khalid al-Qasimi served as its inaugural minister until she was succeeded by Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan in October 2017.[3]
The Ministry promotes a yearly National Festival of Tolerance and Coexistence, featuring cultural performances by different communities. The 2025 edition had China as a guest of honor.[4]
The UAE sees tolerance as a source of "economic capital and attracting skilled migrants, entrepreneurs, and global investment. The tolerance agenda reinforces the country’s image as a safe and aspirational hub".[5] UAE's initiatives are also disseminated by other entities, such as the Hedayah think tank,[6] and the Al Sawab center, focused on countering extremist ideologies worldwide.[7]
