The UAE General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) has shared the measures it has taken to ensure a moderate religious approach.
At a symposium attended by around 300
Emirati teachers of Islamic education from the Ministry of Education, UAE, Dr Mohammed Matar al Kaabi, Awqaf's Chairman, underlined Awqaf's commitment to combating extremists and preventing them from disseminating their radical ideology throughout any religious, media or educational outlet in the UAE. Measures taken by Awqaf in this regard include putting into effect the Cabinet decision no 39 of 2012 on safeguarding the sanctity of mosques and prohibiting their use for meetings, delivering lectures and education without official approvals. Awqaf also strives for putting into administration the legal monitoring capacity of mosque inspectors to report violations, said Dr al Kaabi.
Other measures listed by Dr al Kaabi included continuous assessment of Awqaf's imams, khateebs*, preachers and Quran tutors, so as to exclude those of extremist views. This is achieved by adopting precise standards in employing those who are involved with the religious discourse. Such standards stipulate adherence to the moderate approach and prohibiting engagement with any untrusted or forbidden religious or political group, Dr al Kaabi explained.
Dr al Kaabi also shed light on the UAE anti-discrimination and anti-hatred law, noting that Awqaf has distributed printed versions of the law to all its members. Moreover, Awqaf's members have signed the charter of tolerance that provides for the commitment to respecting the divine religions and others' beliefs, promoting coexistence and harmony amongst all the constituents of the Emirati society, and abandoning discrimination between individuals and groups. It further stresses the need for abandoning any statement that may connote to hatred, discrimination or sectarianism.
*A khateeb, خطيب, is a person who delivers the sermon at Friday prayers and at Eid prayers. The sermon can be delivered by the imam or by someone else.