The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development launched yesterday the initiative "ALL TOGETHER IN THE EMIRATES OF ZAYED AL-KHAIR", in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic and under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development. This initiative aims to provide a number of events, activities and programs covering the following fields; culture, knowledge , arts, national and religion during the holy month of Ramadan, thus delivering culture to the employees of Cleveland Clinic and its patients. The initiative comes within the framework of activating the memorandum of cooperation and partnership between the Ministry and Cleveland Clinic, which aims to spread the culture and knowledge of the UAE and strengthen the national identity. Additionally, the events focus on providing the opportunity to understand cultural diversity and differences within the work environment, support community cohesion and the development of knowledge and skills. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, accompanied by a number of cultural leaders and the management of Cleveland Clinic, inaugurated the activities of the initiative, which includes art exhibitions reflecting on the march of the Union and an Arabic calligraphy and Islamic ornamentation exhibition. The opening also included a documentary discussing details of the initiative and its objectives, in addition to awareness lectures addressing the national culture of the UAE associated with the holy month and the history of the UAE by the historian Mohammed Al - Qudsi. Word by Sheikh Nahyan Hello to all of you here at the Cleveland Clinic: I am happy to be with you this afternoon – I am happy that we are all here together in the Emirates of Zayed Al-Khair إمارات زايد الخير ) ). I am delighted that the thoughtful leaders at the Cleveland Clinic have asked the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development to help the expatriate members of your healthcare community become familiar with the thriving global culture of the United Arab Emirates. The Cleveland Clinic, an enterprise that leads the way as a responsible and concerned global citizen, recognizes the great value in introducing you to the unique aspects of the country in which you live and work – a country that is host to citizens from virtually every country on the planet. As Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, I want you to know that the pluralistic elements in the Emirati society have enabled the formation of the tolerant, understanding, peaceful, productive, and prosperous multi-cultural community that is the UAE. I hope that you will come to understand and appreciate those pluralistic elements that distinguish our Emirati heritage. The holy month of Ramadan is a perfect time for reflecting on Emirati culture and heritage. After all, our Islamic faith bears profoundly on our beliefs and attitudes. Those beliefs and attitudes always motivate our actions. It is in those actions that we all find common ground. People of all nations, cultures, religions, ethnic groups, and philosophical schools—male and female alike—recognize good actions and distinguish them from bad actions. The differences among the beliefs that inspire those actions are, it seems to me, far less important than the actions themselves. Actions shape the world in which we live. At the same time, we enhance our power as global citizens when we understand and appreciate the many different beliefs that motivate the actions that we all perform every day. Understanding the beliefs of others does not require us to abandon our own individual beliefs. On the contrary, engaging in open dialogue is like looking through a window in which you can also see your own reflection. Learning about the culture and beliefs of others will help you to better understand your own. Understanding leads to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and hopefully to a world where curiosity replaces fear, where differences are celebrated, and where cooperation becomes a way to build a truly pluralistic global society. It was in this spirit of pluralism that the founder of our nation, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, brought our seven emirates together and provided a welcoming Arab tent for the citizens of 200 other countries, all dedicated to the development and well-being of the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Zayed led our country in a spirit of (and I quote his words) “tolerance, compassion, and dialogue.” Dialogue means speaking and listening, writing and reading, giving and taking, and above all, working together for a common cause. His Highness the President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, has maintained that spirit and has enabled the UAE to become a world leader for global understanding and peace. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces, has eloquently expressed the fact that [and I quote]; “The UAE serves as a role model for coexistence among different cultures that are represented by the millions who live in the UAE." I am told that most of you gathered here today are new to the Cleveland Clinic and possibly to the UAE. Whatever the case, I welcome you to a great medical enterprise and to a country grateful for your service. In this program so wisely envisioned by the Cleveland Clinic, you will be led by an extremely talented and knowledgeable faculty, in particular the historian Dr. Mohammed Al Qudsi ( محمد القدسي ) and his colleagues. They will help you understand your hosts. I thank you for your resolve to gain that understanding. And I hope that what you learn about our Emirati culture and heritage will help to increase your enjoyment of the time you spend in the UAE.