{"id":46869,"date":"2022-10-21T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-21T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/uae-ambassador-to-rwanda-urges-essi-students-to-uphold-the-legacy-of-tolerance\/"},"modified":"2022-10-21T08:12:12","modified_gmt":"2022-10-21T08:12:12","slug":"uae-ambassador-to-rwanda-urges-essi-students-to-uphold-the-legacy-of-tolerance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/uae-ambassador-to-rwanda-urges-essi-students-to-uphold-the-legacy-of-tolerance\/","title":{"rendered":"UAE Ambassador to Rwanda urges ESSI students to uphold the legacy of tolerance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The envoy made the call on Thursday as he visited the Islamic Cultural Center which is home to ESSI in Nyamirambo Sector, Nyarugenge District of Kigali City.   <\/p>\n<p>During his visit to the center, Amb. Alqahtani toured different facilities including a computer lab and science laboratory among others before interacting with students, teachers and taking them through the UAE\u2019s legacy of tolerance, acceptance and coexistence between people of different faiths.  <\/p>\n<p>UAE Ambassador also awarded the best performing student from Senior 5 with a laptop at the event.  <\/p>\n<p>Amb. Alqahtani echoed the definition of tolerance where it is \u2018the virtue that makes peace possible and contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by a culture of peace\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>The latter goes hand in hand with recognizing the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe practice of tolerance does not mean abandonment or weakening of one\u2019s convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one\u2019s own convictions and accept that others adhere to theirs,\u201d he said.  <\/p>\n<p>As Amb. Alqahtani explained, his country inherits the legacy of tolerance from the founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan who \u2018was tolerant and called all people to be tolerant themselves, to accept others and coexist with them regardless of color, religion or beliefs\u2019.  <\/p>\n<p>The ambassador highlighted that religious diversity should not spark misunderstandings but rather a bridge uniting people to live in harmony.<\/p>\n<p>He referred to his country\u2019s case where it promotes peace, cultural diversity and coexistence despite the presence of over 200 nationalities living in harmony with every major religious denomination represented.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the fact that Islam dominates in his country, Alqahtani disclosed that other religious denominations are granted freedom they deserve highlighting that such culture should spread across the world.<\/p>\n<p>The diplomat also hinted at the historical visit of Pope Francis (head of the Roman Catholic Church and spiritual leader to 1.2 billion devotees) on February 4th, 2019 to Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE becoming the first pontiff ever to visit the Arabian Peninsula. <\/p>\n<p>During his momentous visit, Pope Francis met with the Grand Imam Sheikh of al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed al-Tayyib. At the occasion, the two religious leaders signed the \u2018Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together\u2019 at the Founder\u2019s Memorial in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n<p>The Document of Human Fraternity calls for an end to the use of religion as justification for war, violence and harm and opposes extremism in all forms.<\/p>\n<p>This historic document presents a series of guidelines which denounce violence in the name of religion and urge the adoption of a culture of dialogue and mutual cooperation as a code of conduct and reciprocal understanding.<\/p>\n<p>{{The Abrahamic House of Fraternity}}<\/p>\n<p>Amb. Alqahtani said that the Abrahamic religions including; Judaism, Christianity and Islam are united by the belief in one God and all three share in a history connected to the patriarch Abraham. <\/p>\n<p>He stressed the need to promote dialogue and shared his country\u2019s efforts to support the cause.<\/p>\n<p>Amb. Alqahtani revealed that UAE has proposed a dedicated space for inter-faith dialogue.<\/p>\n<p>The UAE unveiled plans for the Abrahamic House of Fraternity on September 20th 2019 in New York alongside the UN General Assembly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Abrahamic Family House will be an interfaith complex currently in development in Abu Dhabi, a representation of the Document of Human Fraternity which will feature a church, a mosque, a synagogue and a secular welcome center on one shared site. Currently, in development, the project\u2019s anticipated completion date has been set for this year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Amb. Alqahtani further revealed that the Abrahamic House of Fraternity will feature each of the three houses of faith namely; a mosque, a church and a synagogue, which will stand at the same height to symbolize equality. The design will highlight the often overlooked similarities between the three faiths and their corresponding architectural traditions.<\/p>\n<p>It will act as a place for religious worship as well as a space for exhibitions, programs, conferences and inter-faith dialogue initiatives.<\/p>\n<p>Abdellatif Aouid, the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Center thanked Amb. Alqahtani for the visit and commended UAE for the support extended to the center. <\/p>\n<p>He highlighted that the Islamic Cultural Center is a fruit of collaboration between Libya, UAE and the Government of Rwanda adding that the ESSI also promotes values of tolerance where it recruits teachers and enrolls students without any kind of discrimination.   <\/p>\n<p>Students also commended the envoy for delivering an inspiring talk and pledged to be characterized by tolerance in daily lives. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44788 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2052.jpg\" alt=\"Amb. Alqahtani urged ESSI students to uphold the legacy of tolerance. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44787 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1683.jpg\" alt=\"Amb. Alqahtani toured different facilities of the center. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44789 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1776.jpg\" alt=\"Amb. Alqahtani (right) with the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Center in Nyamirambo. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44790 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1901.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44791 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1924.jpg\" alt=\"Amb. Alqahtani  receiving a gift from the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Center in Nyamirambo. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44792 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2009.jpg\" alt=\"Amb. Alqahtani shared his country&#039;s legacy of tolerance with ESSI students and teachers. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44793 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1695.jpg\" alt=\"A computer lab is among visited facilities. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44794 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1745.jpg\" alt=\"Amb. Alqahtani  also witnessed experiments conducted by ESSI students in their science laboratory. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44795 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2114.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44796 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1470.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44797 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1349.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44798 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1301_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44799 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1173_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44800 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1547.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44801 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1667.jpg\" alt=\"Amb. Alqahtani  arriving at the Islamic Cultural Center. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44802 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1691.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44803 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1832.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44804 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1598.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44805 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1507.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44806 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1474.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44807 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2160.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44808 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2112.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44809 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1555.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44810 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1527.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44811 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1776-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44812 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1695-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44813 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1889.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44814 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2083.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44815 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a1678.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44816 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2059.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44816 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2059.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44817 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2052-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44818 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2088.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44819 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2108.jpg\" alt=\"Amb. Alqahtani handing over a laptop to the best performing student. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44820 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2100.jpg\" alt=\"ESSI offers education to boys and girls. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44821 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2095.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-44822 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/541a2127.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>{The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Rwanda, Hazza Mohammed Falah Kharsan Alqahtani has requested students at the Islamic Secondary School for Sciences (ESSI) to uphold the legacy of tolerance and strive for peaceful coexistence with all members of the society irrespective of their backgrounds.}<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[75],"byline":[160],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-46869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-homenews","byline-theophile-niyitegeka"],"bylines":[{"id":160,"name":"Th\u00e9ophile Niyitegeka","slug":"theophile-niyitegeka","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":3}],"contributors":[{"id":160,"name":"Th\u00e9ophile Niyitegeka","slug":"theophile-niyitegeka","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":3}],"featured_image":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46869"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46869\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46869"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=46869"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=46869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}