The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Rwanda, Hazza Alqahtani, visited the Islamic Secondary School of Sciences (ESSI) in Nyamirambo, Kigali and discussed his country’s efforts in the fight against extremism and terrorism as obstacles to peace and tolerance among people.
The ESSI is located in the Islamic Cultural Center in Nyarugenge District, the City of Kigali.
Ambassador Alqahtani’s message was aimed at showing his country’s efforts in countering extremism inside and out of the UAE.
“The UAE aims to support the faith of Islam in the fight against extremism and terrorism. The country values tolerance and compassion within Islam and rejects all factors that lead to extremism,” he said.
“The UAE has always distinguished itself in its desire to reconcile people. The country abides by laws that protect freedom and religious activities. The values of religious tolerance and freedom have been inscribed since the country’s creation in 1971, when people of different religions and from more than 200 different countries agreed to live together in peace,” the Ambassador added.
The UAE has an Islamic Center or General Authority for Islamic Affairs Management and endowments that works closely with the country and religious leaders to counter extremism and terrorism. This Center investigates to prevent the teaching of extremist ideology in places of worship and mosques.
“The UAE has clear laws in place that can crack down on anyone who spreads hatred and violence against another on the basis of religion and faith. The country also has a program of collaboration with the United States of America to exchange information on all activities that support extremism,” continued Ambassador Alqahtani.
In his response to questions from ESSI students, Ambassador Alqahtani urged them to combat extremist behavior in Rwanda and elsewhere in the world.
He rewarded students who performed well in school with various prizes including latest smartphones and tablets. (End)