PARIS: Hend Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to France, hosted an interfaith iftar under the theme ‘Human Fraternity Values and Peaceful Coexistence’.
The event was attended by prominent luminaries, including Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, Jean Yves le Drian, former French Foreign Minister, and several ambassadors and esteemed guests from various political, economic, and cultural fields, who gathered to celebrate and foster dialogue, understanding and coexistence. This year’s iftar was hosted at the Collège des Bernadins in Paris, which is regarded as an inter-faith dialogue hub, dedicated to nurturing hope in addressing contemporary challenges.
This historical venue resonated with the core values of UAE society, characterized by hospitality, openness, and tolerance. The event conveyed a powerful message advocating for intercultural and interfaith dialogue, reinforcing these principles. The iftar was organised as part of the ninth edition of the ‘Majlon’ initiative, a series of events launched by the
UAE Embassy in Paris to convene prominent voices from France and the UAE around key issues of mutual interest to further deepen French-Emirati ties.
Al Otaiba said: ‘Amidst the challenges confronting our societies, it is important to note that elevating fraternal values and reinforcing inter-faith dialogue supports peace and stability. Following the tenets of tolerance upheld by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, the UAE is committed to promoting interfaith and intercultural tolerance, understanding, and dialogue.’ For her part, Audrey Azoulay delivered a speech on the importance of Human fraternity values in fostering peaceful coexistence to build bridges between societies.
Laurent Landete, General Director of the Collège des Bernardins echoed this sentiment in his subsequent address. Audrey Azoulay, General Director of UNESCO said: ‘I wanted to be here with you tonight to commend the way in which the United Arab Emirates engage with the internation
al community, at UNESCO, for peace. You do it through the mandate of UNESCO, that is, culture, education, sciences, information, in an exemplary manner.’
Source: Emirates News Agency
Minister of Social Solidarity Nivine El Kabbag said the ministry is expected to launch a national strategy for volunteerism before mid-May.
This strategy will outline the ministry’s vision for creating the first unified volunteering database, and establishing diverse channels for mobilizing volunteers, maintaining communication with them, and improving their conditions, Kabbag added while attending the launch ceremony of the Middle East’s first center for volunteers by the Share a Smile (SAS) Foundation.
Kabbag said Egypt has a longstanding experience in volunteering and charitable work, which is a clear manifestation of an awakening humanitarian conscience, and our love for serving our nation and exerting our best efforts for a safe and healthy life.
SAS is a non-profit organization with the aim to grow the culture of volunteering in Egypt. It started as an initiative in 2008.
Source: State Information Service Egypt