Category: General

PARIS: Hend Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to France, hosted an interfaith iftar under the theme ‘Human Fraternity Values and Peaceful Coexistence’.

The event was attended by prominent luminaries, including Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, Jean Yves le Drian, former French Foreign Minister, and several ambassadors and esteemed guests from various political, economic, and cultural fields, who gathered to celebrate and foster dialogue, understanding and coexistence. This year’s iftar was hosted at the Collège des Bernadins in Paris, which is regarded as an inter-faith dialogue hub, dedicated to nurturing hope in addressing contemporary challenges.

This historical venue resonated with the core values of UAE society, characterized by hospitality, openness, and tolerance. The event conveyed a powerful message advocating for intercultural and interfaith dialogue, reinforcing these principles. The iftar was organised as part of the ninth edition of the ‘Majlon’ initiative, a series of events launched by the
UAE Embassy in Paris to convene prominent voices from France and the UAE around key issues of mutual interest to further deepen French-Emirati ties.

Al Otaiba said: ‘Amidst the challenges confronting our societies, it is important to note that elevating fraternal values and reinforcing inter-faith dialogue supports peace and stability. Following the tenets of tolerance upheld by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, the UAE is committed to promoting interfaith and intercultural tolerance, understanding, and dialogue.’ For her part, Audrey Azoulay delivered a speech on the importance of Human fraternity values in fostering peaceful coexistence to build bridges between societies.

Laurent Landete, General Director of the Collège des Bernardins echoed this sentiment in his subsequent address. Audrey Azoulay, General Director of UNESCO said: ‘I wanted to be here with you tonight to commend the way in which the United Arab Emirates engage with the internation
al community, at UNESCO, for peace. You do it through the mandate of UNESCO, that is, culture, education, sciences, information, in an exemplary manner.’

Source: Emirates News Agency

Amman: His Majesty King Abdullah II has expressed condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the victims of the terrorist attack that targeted the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on Friday.

In a cable sent to President Putin, His Majesty condemned the cowardly terrorist attack, expressing Jordan’s solidarity with Russia in countering terrorism.

The King expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesman James Elder said Saturday what is happening in Gaza has become a war on children, stressing that the Strip is no longer a suitable place for children at present.

Elder, who visited Gaza twice since the war began on October 7, said children are the most affected in Gaza, adding that “what is happening there is a war on the children themselves,” according to the UN’s official website.

In all crises, wars harm the most vulnerable groups, children, and children often constitute about 20 percent of the death toll, but in Gaza this number is close to 40 percent, as more than 10,000 children have been killed since the beginning of the war, and the number is rising.

Elder pointed to despair in Gaza, where people are extremely fatigue with many hungry people amid fears that Israel will launch a military offensive on the southern town of Rafah.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Orphan Development Foundation in Sana’a organized an entertainment day, a group breakfast, and the distribution of Eid money to a thousand orphans.

The Director of Orphan Care at the Foundation explained that the entertainment day – the second batch included recreational games in the Foundation’s garden for orphan children, a group breakfast, a Ramadan cultural evening, and artistic performances to enhance awareness, charity and social solidarity.

Source: Yemen News Agency

DUBAI: Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has ordered salary increases for Imams and ?muezzins serving in mosques operating under the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai in recognition of their contribution to advancing the message of humanitarianism, service to the community, and social values.

The gesture reflects His Highness’s commitment to empowering mosque Imams in their role of promoting the inclusive message of Islam and fostering ethical and positive social attitudes. The move also recognises the dedication of the preachers in overseeing religious affairs and upholding constructive societal principles.

Source: Emirates News Agency