a vision for a moderate modern muslim world
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

UAE Ambassador Yousef al-Otaiba:

A vision for a moderate, modern Muslim world

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today A vision for a moderate, modern Muslim world

Ambassador Yousef al-Otaiba
New York - Arab Today

In an article published by Foreign Policy magazine in its on-line edition on Wednesday, coinciding with the 44th UAE National Day, Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States, said that creating an ideology of openness, optimism, and opportunity in the Gulf is a key component to defeating extremism. He reiterated that Daesh must not only be defeated on the field of battle, but also in the war of conflicting ideologies. "As Muslims, we have the most at stake and must be leaders on both fronts."

Al Otaiba said that with incidents in St. Petersburg and Sinai, Bamako and Beirut, Mosul and Paris, the world had been shocked by a murderous month of Islamic extremist violence. He explained that with a more sophisticated enemy and the return of radicalised fighters, the Middle East's terrorism challenge has become a global challenge in a way not seen since the 9/11 attacks.

"In the United Arab Emirates, we are joined with the international community to bring new energy to the fight against the most destabilising and dangerous force since fascism. For more than 12 years, from the air and on the ground, the UAE has been combating extremists in Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. We continue to aggressively attack extremist support networks, blocking the flow of funds and foreign fighters, contesting extremists online, and devising new counter-radicalisation strategies.

"But success on the battlefield may be the easy part. We know that to win, we must not only defeat what we are against, but we must also define what we as Muslims and Arabs are for. True victory can only come when the more powerful forces of tolerance and progress prevail over the twisted ideology of the Islamic State and its kind.

"Is this even possible in the Middle East? One hundred years after the Sykes-Picot agreement [also known as the Asia Minor Agreement], can the region overcome its history of sectarian and ethnic division? Is there a new model of and for the Middle East built on hope rather than hate? "In the UAE, we are trying to find out. We are testing a new vision for the region, an alternative, future-oriented ideology. It is a path guided by the true tenets of Islam: respect, inclusion, and peace. It empowers women, embraces diversity, encourages innovation, and welcomes global engagement."

Al Otaiba went on, "With the world's attention focused on the aftermath of the Paris attacks, it went largely unnoticed that Amal Al Qubaisi was appointed as president of the UAE's Federal National Council, making her the first woman in the region to lead a national assembly. An architect by profession, she was also the first woman to be a member of the council.

"Just weeks earlier, a group of Emirati and expatriate religious, political, and diplomatic leaders celebrated the reopening of the restored St. Andrew's Church in Abu Dhabi. The Anglican church's chaplain, the Rev. Canon Andrew Thompson, has said that in many ways it's easier being a Christian here than it is in the United Kingdom.

"Father Bishoy Salib of Abu Dhabi's Coptic Orthodox Church recently expressed a similar sentiment, saying that the UAE is an exemplary worldwide model of multi-religion gathering and cooperation. This is the peaceful environment where all regions can grow and meet each other."

"In the same spirit of openness, the Emirati government announced this summer that it is donating the land for the country's third Hindu temple. These churches and temples, along with many other centres of worship, serve the nearly 8 million expatriates of virtually all faiths and nationalities who live and work together, peacefully, in the UAE."

Al Otaiba also highlighted the fact that the media sometimes miss out on important stories from the region, saying, "Little noticed was the November 21st meeting in Cairo of the Muslim Council of Elders, which strongly condemned the Paris and Mali massacres. The council is an international body of forward-thinking scholars and experts that is giving greater voice to moderate Islam. Established and supported by Emirati leaders, the council is modernising the way Islam is taught in schools, developing new training programmes for imams, and updating Quranic commentaries.

"Beyond encouraging religious diversity and tolerance, we are also seeding an ideology of optimism and opportunity. In Washington this week, the UAE will join with NASA in recognising the UAE Space Agency and its ambitious plans to put a probe on Mars in 2021, our country's 50th anniversary. For the UAE, this is the Arab world's version of President John F. Kennedy's moon shot; a galvanizing vision for the future that can engage and excite a new generation of Emirati and Arab youth.

"Putting a probe on Mars is a vision for the future, but putting people to work is the challenge of today. In the UAE, we are building an economic engine for the entire region, a place where the free flow of goods, services, people, investment, and ideas lifts the entire Middle East and links it to Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. It is a sustainable post-hydrocarbon economy, driven by innovation, human capital, rule of law, and open trade."

The ambassador concluded by saying that the UAE believes it is possible to be Muslim, moderate, and modern at the same time. "We are committed to promoting this ideology of openness, optimism, and opportunity across the region. Arab parents can and should believe that their children's future can be better than their own. We know it is a vision, but also a realistic and attainable one, no less difficult or less inspiring than launching a man to the moon, or a mission to Mars."
Source: WAM

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

GMT 10:30 2018 Thursday ,18 January

Netanyahu: US embassy could move

GMT 10:45 2018 Wednesday ,17 January

Iran should listen to demands

GMT 08:18 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

Destroy US-backed Syria 'terror army'

GMT 10:11 2018 Monday ,15 January

German defence minister warns

GMT 10:11 2018 Monday ,15 January

German defence minister warns

GMT 10:11 2018 Monday ,15 January

German defence minister warns

GMT 12:04 2018 Saturday ,13 January

Trump 'desperate' to undermine nuclear

GMT 10:19 2018 Friday ,12 January

Belgian PM seeks EU help in row
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

a vision for a moderate modern muslim world a vision for a moderate modern muslim world

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

a vision for a moderate modern muslim world a vision for a moderate modern muslim world

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 21:00 2011 Thursday ,29 September

Al Jaber to agree debt deal by year-end

GMT 05:50 2012 Saturday ,05 May

French patisserie with delightful structure

GMT 01:56 2012 Friday ,06 April

Sheraton Hotels to boost spa offering

GMT 08:51 2012 Thursday ,26 April

Arab women still unrecognised

GMT 07:08 2011 Thursday ,22 September

Hotel Shilla sets up first free shop in Macau

GMT 08:52 2018 Friday ,12 January

Film legend Delon says he's ready to die

GMT 14:48 2017 Sunday ,31 December

UAE cancels Tunisia handball games amid row

GMT 18:49 2017 Tuesday ,31 October

Celtics snap NBA losing streak to injury-hit Spurs

GMT 12:54 2011 Monday ,26 December

Anti-bullying program launched by Tulsa schools

GMT 15:07 2012 Wednesday ,07 November

Oriflame to launch Sparkle in Paris collection

GMT 07:31 2017 Friday ,20 October

Tillerson heads to Gulf, downbeat

GMT 18:23 2017 Wednesday ,19 July

Chile moves to ease strict abortion laws
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday