Promoting multiculturalism and tolerance: Expanding the meaning of “unity through diversity” in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sought to establish a national identity among its nationals since its inception in 1971. Contrary to the pessimism in its first few years, the UAE was able to create a national identity among its nationals despite their initially differing loyalties. The UAE has now embarked on a phase of creating a new national identity that includes non-nationals, encompassing migrants and expats. This study argues that this new identity aims to include, at least discursively, non-nationals, presenting them as an integral part of society. It should be noted that this new identity does not seek to standardize or assimilate the whole population, in contrast to the first identity, which aimed to standardize the nationals. Its primary aim is rather to express its appreciation of the migrant population through the notions of tolerance, diversity, and multiculturalism, while also preventing complaints from the nationals. This study analyses the ways of including non-nationals in a new national identity through national gatherings (national days), institutional activities (heritage festivals, cultural gatherings, cultural center visits and activities), media

Learning Media Ethics in a Multicultural Context

“…While the gap between the local and the global will continue to exist, multiculturalism has proven to be an effective recipe for addressing local and global communication concerns within the frameworks of multicultural education and cultural diversity. This view is strongly embraced by the UAE, the country where the study is conducted (Baycar, 2022). Through this survey of media students in a multicultural education setting existing within a broader social cultural diversity milieu, the authors have sought to demonstrate the students' views on the impact of multiculturalism on their learning of media and communication ethics.…”

“…In terms of ethnicity, Emiratis, South Asians, Egyptians, Filipinos, and "others" account for 11%, 59%, 10%, 6%, and 12% of the total population, respectively (Jayanthi, 2016). Baycar (2022) argues that the UAE has now embarked on a phase of creating a new national identity that includes non-nationals, encompassing migrants, and expats. To cope with rising cultural diversity, the UAE has enacted laws that promote tolerance, co-existence and accommodation and combat discriminating and hatred.…”

Fostering a Cultural Melting Pot: The UAE’s Approach to Multicultural Integration and Heritage Preservation

“…The United Arab Emirates has adopted an approach can be called as "Multicultural Integration and Heritage Conservation: The United Arab Emirates' Perspective ( [4], pp. 41-44)."…”

“…Additionally, the region attracts a highly educated workforce, often hailing from the United Kingdom, the In the Emirates, foreign curriculum schools have been established for the children of these foreign workers, offering music, foreign language, sports, art courses, and international restaurants. Various groups come together at shows and festivals, celebrating special days and holidays from different faiths ( [4], pp. 42-43).…”

“…Encouraging schools to contribute to societal development.3. Enhancing and supporting quality education through initiatives 4…”