The fine art of tolerance

Tolerance is the art of listening. Reflect on what is being said or done. Understand what is not being said and what is not being done. With tolerance, we enable openness of conversations and interactions, effectively opposing isolation through reciprocal and respectful dialogue.
Exclusion leads to lack of understanding that polarises individuals, ideologies and societies. Sadly, we fear what we don't know and out of fear, some resort to hate and violence in anticipation of self-preservation.
Moderation is implied in tolerance, wherein the action to inspire or influence should be in careful balance between upholding our own beliefs while equally respecting the principles of others. This delicate tipping point needs to be carefully safeguarded as it can create stability or impose inequity instead.
It is by instinct that our subconscious tends to spontaneously reject something outside of what has been indoctrinated to our very core since childhood. We experience the feeling of disorientation when we are unexpectedly subjected to an unfamiliar way of life or set of attitudes.
But realising that each person can have this difficulty should open up our willingness to put ourselves unto the circumstances of other people. This should equip us to comprehend other people's perspective on the notion that we are all the same human beings.
And yes, we can foster this approach because we are also by nature social beings and adaptable to our surroundings.
We cannot in any way justify intolerance by accepting only those that accept us, and those that are within the bounds of our beliefs. Let us refrain from judging others. Treat others the way you want to be treated. And remember that to be tolerant is to be forgiving.
Today, we live in a world wherein tolerance is no longer just a moral obligation, but is also a legal mandate in the form of anti-discrimination laws.
Tolerance does not equate absolute freedom, it is about reconciling differences. Tolerance also demands us to ask ourselves - are we the ones tolerating or are we the ones being tolerated? Or are we doing both at the same time? For harmony in diversity to become a reality, openness must come first.
Our differences should not divide us, but should enrich us as individuals, as humankind. Remember that in tolerating others we are not giving up our own beliefs and principles, it is being ourselves and being at peace with those that are different to us, at the same time.
Tolerance is, in fact, that fine line that separates goodwill and animosity. Without it, humanity will be back in historic ages where we burn down villages and tribes that are not of our kind. And with it, we will be advancing humanity towards dynamic civilisation harnessed by human values, unbound by biases.
Gurudwara GuruNanak Darbar Dubai, a Beacon of Tolerance
The UAE, with its wise leadership and people from diverse cultural backgrounds, is a culmination of tolerance, harmony, respect and acceptance as a society. The idea of tolerance is deeply rooted in the UAE history, in which Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Father of the Nation, has set forth the foundation. And today, the government and the community work together closely in strengthening these values and in creating frameworks that support its continuity.
The UAE is committed to be at the forefront of enabling harmonious coexistence among all religions and cultures in propelling progressive society through the value of tolerance.
And this commitment was manifested to the Sikh community when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, granted 25,400 sqft of land for free to build the world's most modern and the region's largest Gurudwara, the Gurunanak Darbar Dubai.
Gurudwara Gurunanak Darbar Dubai together with mosques, churches, synagogues and temples, make up the shining beacon of tolerance in the UAE. Uplifting each other, upholding universal truths and peacefully living side by side with people of 200 different nationalities and multiple religious faith groups.
Gurudwara serves both the Sikh congregation and the community, and is used not only as place of worship but is also venue for community activities and events. The temple welcomes everyone irrespective of caste, creed, and ethnicity.
It has become a popular Dubai destination attracting both devotees and tourists. And is widely known for its langar or community kitchen that serves free food to everyone, three times a day, 365 days a year. Gurudwara Gurunanak Darbar Dubai has welcomed and served free meals to over seven million people since its inauguration on January 17, 2012.
One of the main teaching of our founder, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is inter-faith harmony saying that, "The one God is parent to all, we are all God's children". Guru Nanak's basic teaching of Ek Onkar, which means one humanity, one divinity, is a universal principle that brings us all together. Below are some of activities and initiatives organised by Gurudwara in promoting tolerance and inter-faith cooperation in observance of Guru Nanak's teachings.
Interfaith Service Projects
On November 13, 2015, 8,500 hygiene kits and food packs were distributed to labourers in line with Diwali celebrations. On November 16, 2016, 3,000 blankets were distributed to blue-collar workers in celebration of National Tolerance Day. On November 2017, 5,000 food packs were distributed to blue-collar workers as well. All these events are in cooperation with The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints and were supported by the Minister of Tolerance.
World Inter-Faith Harmony Day (WIHD)
WIHD was the inaugural UAE interfaith conference under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, and under the umbrella of the United Nations' World Interfaith Harmony Week, held on February 3, 2016.
Hosted by Gurudwara and co-organised with Prof. Nasr Arif and Dr Brian J. Adams of Griffith University Australia, the event brought together local and international leaders from faith groups, universities, businesses, NGOs, and public institutions that discussed the contribution of faith traditions.
Twenty-two renowned speakers and 250 delegates explored ways to work together in building peaceful homes and strong families as necessary components for building peace in the world.
Labour Day Appreciation Event
On April 29, 2016, 750 blankets were given to labourers in Al Dar Camp in Abu Dhabi. On April 28, 2017, 6,300 mugs were handed over to the labourers in Al Raha Operatives Village, also in Abu Dhabi. On May 4, 2018, 7,500 bags were given to labourers in Al Raha Operatives Village Abu Dhabi. All these events were held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.
Breakfast for Diversity 
On April 13, 2017, a Guinness World Record was achieved. The Gurudwara hosted breakfast for more than 600 attendees of 101 nationalities. The event was in line with the Year of Giving programme of the UAE. It is the official and reigning Guinness World Records title holder for the 'Most Nationalities having a Continental Breakfast'. It was a historical gathering on Baisakhi Day 2017 and an outstanding event that showcased positive values towards harmony in diversity.
Aid for Somalia
On June 4, 2017, 1,000 blankets were given to Red Crescent Society in support of their project for Somalia.
UN International Day of Peace Celebration
On September 14, 2017, in cooperation with United Nations Development Programme and supported by the Minister of State for Tolerance, Peace Day was celebrated by sharing messages of peace along the theme of 'Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All' through a gathering on the temple premises. 
Largest Distribution of Saplings
Another Guinness World Record title was achieved on March 19, 2018. In celebration of the World Sikh Environment Day and the Sikh New Year, saplings were distributed to the students of Delhi Private School and planted within its premises in Dubai and Sharjah.
The event was in line with The Year of Zayed, commemorating the life, values and achievements of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a true advocate of environment protection. Taking care of the environment is part of the Sikh ethos that Gurudwara Dubai hopes to remind today's children.
Blood Donation Camp
As many as 300 blood donor volunteers participated in the blood donation camp in cooperation with Latifa Hospital on December 28, 2018. The event marked the year-long celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 550th birth anniversary and was held at the Dubai Sikh Temple in Jebel Ali Village.
Daily Iftar during Ramadan
In celebration of the Year of Tolerance, Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai served Iftar in its dining hall since day 1 of Ramadan and this continued until the last day of Ramadan this year. Serving Iftar is not new for Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai, as they have been hosting Iftar every year, since 2012. 
550th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Guru Nanak DevJi
Gurudwara has organised community service activities in celebration of the 550th birth anniversary celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji from December 2018 until November 2019. Among the activities were blood donation camp, baisakhi, distribution of food packs to labour camps, interfaith Iftar, medical camp for blue collar workers, Tolerance book presentation and Punjabi culture and heritage festival.
A painting exhibition on the 'Life and Teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji' was also organised to commemorate Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 550th birth anniversary as Global Brotherhood from November 12 to 15 at the Gurudwara temple.
The exhibition was inaugurated on November12 by Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Former Minister in the Government of the UAE, and Vipul, Consul-General of India to the UAE. This event was organised in cooperation with World Punjabi Organisation and National Institute of Punjab Studies.
The November 13 event of the Sikh congregation along with different faith groups included talks, movie screenings, and interfaith performances.
Highlights of the celebrations were the performance of children singing religious songs of various faiths and video presentation of famous Emirati singer, Yasser Habib singing the Shabad in Punjabi. Diplomats who attended were Pavan Kapoor, Ambassador of India to the UAE, and Krishna Prasad Dhakal, Ambassador of Nepal to the UAE.
On November 15, there was kirtan programme and it was attended by officials from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sri Amritsar (SGPC) from India.
- Surender Singh Kandhari is the Chairman of Gurunanak Darbar Dubai