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Sheikha Lubna calls for constructive dialogue

Dubai - Media is responsible for promoting the culture of tolerance, says minister of tolerance

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Speaking at the second day of the Arab Media Forum, the minister of tolerance on Tuesday said the media is responsible for promoting the culture of tolerance, acceptance and peace in the societies of the Arab world.
Addressing a gathering of prominent media personalities from the Arab world and government officials, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, said that the slogan of the current edition of the forum - Civil Dialogue - is very significant, considering the challenges being faced by the Arab world at all levels.

App to help Syrian refugees A Syrian immigrant innovator in Europe, who invented a communication application that could connect anyone, almost anywhere in the world, presented the application at the Arab Media Forum on the second day. The application, FreeCom, was developed by Abdul Rahman Al Ashraf to help Syrian refugees in Europe to connect back home. He has been helping fellow Syrians flee the civil war to Europe by volunteering and launching social organisations to help compatriots settle down. He gradually developed the application that could transmit sound and help track people in troubled regions and help them get connected, without Internet. "I started this application purely out of a social need - to help Syrian refugees in Europe communicate with their relatives back home," said Abdul Rahman. The product now helps any computer, laptop or mobile phone transmit data without Internet and turns the device into a smart device. Abdul Rahman Al Ashraf was adjudged the Best Innovator and was conferred the European Youth Digital Champion Award in 2016.

She added that many of the challenges being faced by the media in the Arab world could not be addressed without a constructive dialogue.
"The role of media is important and strategic in spreading tolerance and conveying positive messages to societies to curb all destructive phenomenon and ideologies that affect the youth," she added.
"The Arab media has a great responsibility in this regard," the minister said, pointing out that it is very important for the public to understand the facts when they receive a news.
Speaking about the importance of the UAE's tolerance programme, she said that the programme has been initiated by the leadership to promote tolerance and ensure peace and happiness among the 200 nationalities living in the UAE.
"The ministry of tolerance will continue to promote the principles of tolerance established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. In fact, the UAE, through its diversity in population, has succeeded in spreading it throughout the Arab region and the world."
Sheikha Lubna stressed that UAE society will continue to build up tolerance, multiculturalism and culture of acceptance of others, and will reject attitudes of discrimination and hatred.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com