A respected UAE statesman has warned that “voices of intolerance” are becoming louder and more mainstream across the world.
Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State, said he hoped that a vision of “shared humanity” and mutual respect would be embraced urgently to counter the global phenomenon.
He also spoke of his pride at the UAE’s history of tolerance and welcoming other nationalities and cultures but said that “great misperceptions” about the nation’s values abroad were harming potential for international collaboration.
He drew a contrast between the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1991 with the current international situation, in which there are moves in parts of the world towards building new walls. He also highlighted the breaking of a global consensus around the mutual benefits of free trade.
The developments contrasted with the UAE’s vision of mutual understanding and co-operation, Mr Nusseibeh said, which had been advocated by Sheikh Zayed, the founding father. Mr Nusseibeh was a long-serving adviser to Sheikh Zayed during his presidency, working with him closely from the 1960s.
“A quarter century after walls came tumbling down in Europe, there is now talk of building new ones elsewhere,” he said. “Where free trade used to be an ideal for all nations to aspire to, in the conviction that in the long run it would make us all better off, we now hear strong voices advocating protectionism.
“It would be hard to argue that voices of intolerance have not become stronger and even more accepted than they used to be, and this is a global phenomenon.
“What the world needs now more than ever is a sense of shared humanity, of the diverse richness of the human experience. What the world needs is to connect human beings in mutual discovery, respect and appreciation of one another.”
Mr Nusseibeh was asked earlier this year to establish an office for public and cultural diplomacy at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The UAE’s new strategy involves increasing cultural exchanges in areas such as the arts, architecture, music and sport in an effort to build international relationships.
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He was addressing Diplocon in Abu Dhabi, a two-day event aimed at improving the quality of international diplomacy. Mr Nusseibeh said the event was taking place amid a global mood of pessimism when the need for effective diplomacy “could not be more pressing”.
He said that the estimated eight million non-Emirati residents of the UAE are witnesses to the welcoming nature of the country. But he said it remained important for the UAE to make sure others are aware of its values.
“There are great misperceptions about our core values around the world,” Mr Nusseibeh admitted. “Why? Because for some people, being a Muslim and an Arab country comes with a set of connotations in today’s world. Unfortunately, those connotations are not always tolerance, moderation and equal rights for women.
“All too often misunderstandings of who we are and what we stand for serve to undermine the potential for collaboration.
“We are proud of our heritage but we are open to the world. We see our heritage strengthened by our engagement with the world, not weakened.
“It is precisely because we know who we are and where we come from that dialogue with other cultures doesn’t threaten us. We know it can only enrich us.”
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Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Director: Ron Howard
2/5
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
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10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Sunday's games
Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm
Match info
Newcastle United 1
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Tottenham Hotspur 2
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First Test, at Galle
England won by 211
Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs
Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
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How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group H
Manchester United v Young Boys, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
