ABU DHABI, 8th November, 2018 (WAM) — Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, announced the launch of the National Tolerance Festival, slated for Friday, and organised by the Ministry of Tolerance under the theme, ‘On Zayed’s Approach’.The festival will kick-off with the Tolerance Walk which from Umm El Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi as the inaugural mass breakthrough of the event.He stated that the selection of ‘On Zayed’s Approach’ as the theme of the festival reflects the pride in the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who laid down foundations of social cohesion and instilled the values of tolerance, respect, coexistence and harmony among all UAE citizens.Sheikh Nahyan said that the festival’s programme covers a series of more than one hundred grand mass events such as the Tolerance Walk, Affections Symphony, Tolerance Impressions, Tolerance Cricket Championship, entertainment, and various musical and symphonic performances. There are also specialised programmes and events including the Champions of Tolerance Programme as one of the creative initiatives introduced as part of the ministry’s commitment to spreading the values and principles of tolerance and its mission to serve the whole community. The main aim of this programme is to encourage and qualify all categories and individuals of our community to utilise their potential in spreading the values of tolerance, respect, coexistence and harmony among all UAE citizens and residents to achieve happiness and prosperity for all, Sheikh Nahyan said.The other events include Children’s Literature workshops for young writers, the Tolerance Research Forum for academics and university researchers, the International Tolerance Efforts Symposium to focus on efforts made by international activists, intellectuals and experts to spread the mission of tolerance throughout the world, in addition to the Tolerance Beacons Forum, Forum for UAE-based Communities as well as many other miscellaneous events and programme. We hope that all those events will meet the satisfaction of all the segments of our community, he added.The UAE Minister of Tolerance indicated the festival mainly aims to promote the ministry’s mission of raising public awareness about acceptance and understanding as core values of the society and boost the principles of tolerance and coexistence. It is also an initiative of recognition towards our visionary leaders who have managed to build the UAE as a role model for tolerance and peaceful coexistence that gains the respect and appreciation of the whole world. That shows the UAE’s determination to continuously seek ways to open dialogues and spread the culture of peace and coexistence in all sectors, he noted.He expressed his appreciation for the Ministry of Education, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, the Executive Councils of all the emirates, Etisalat, Etihad Airlines as well as more than 120 partners for their strong support and generous contributions. All people and organisations are welcome. The ministry aims to make everyone feel that the mission is of tolerance as it is the responsibility of all individuals and entities to do so for the benefit of our community. Such success achieved by the Ministry of Tolerance would not be possible without the support of all the entities and segments of society, Sheikh Nahyan said.He extended thanks and appreciation to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and their brothers Their Highnesses, Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, for their support to the ministry. The UAE’s visionary and prudent leadership has successfully managed to establish such levels of tolerance, coexistence, stability and prosperity that we enjoy today in the UAE. We are organising the National Tolerance Festival under the theme ‘On Zayed’s Approach’ as a symbol of appreciation to our leaders for their confidence in the ministry to achieve its duties and responsibilities in the serving society in our beloved country, Sheikh Nahyan concluded.