The UAE has become a global capital for tolerance, affection and co-existence due to its persistent efforts to promote values of tolerance, peaceful co-existence, collaboration, solidarity and respect for cultural diversity, acceptance of others and abhorrence of violence, hatred, discrimination and bigotry, said H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region.

''Under the able stewardship of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE today stands as a source of positivity and optimism for the promising future regionally and globally. Despite rapid transformations, the UAE community has seen local culture, traditions and customs remain intact,'' H.H. Sheikh Hamdan said in a statement ahead of the International Day for Tolerance, celebrated on 16th November.

He stated that the National Programme for Tolerance, which was recently approved by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, would advance the country’s efforts to disseminate the values of tolerance and co-existence not only locally, but also regionally and globally.

The visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to Vatican in September this year also underscored the UAE's strong belief in the co-existence of the followers of divine religions under the principle of tolerance, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan added.

''The UAE is a safe community, which is void of any discrimination on the basis of religion, race or colour,'' he said, noting that the UAE ranked first regionally and third globally on the Tolerance Index of the 2016 Yearbook, issued by the International Institute for Management Development, IMD, Switzerland, on the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance.