Morocco and UAE: Pioneers of Tolerance Recognized by the U.S. Senate
In a historic moment, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been awarded the inaugural America 250 Founders’ Promise Award by the United States Senate, marking their recognition as the first countries to be honored during the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. This significant accolade was announced during a formal session that concluded the two-day forum titled "America 250: Building on the Legacy and Promise of Religious Freedom," organized by the Peacebuilders Forum for Religious Freedom. The event took place at the Museum of the Bible and concluded at the Senate, drawing a diverse group of attendees including members of Congress, U.S. State Department officials, religious leaders, diplomats, and international experts.
The Founders’ Promise Award was established specifically for the America 250 celebrations, aiming to recognize nations that have made notable contributions towards promoting religious freedom, equal citizenship, human dignity, and peaceful coexistence. Greg Mitchell, the founder and CEO of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat, emphasized Morocco's selection for the award as a testament to its enduring partnership with the United States and its commitment to fostering a culture of religious moderation and diversity.
Similarly, the UAE received this honor for its transformative efforts in embedding values of tolerance, coexistence, and interfaith dialogue into practical policies and initiatives that resonate on a global scale. The opening session of the forum showcased remarks from key figures such as Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, Sen. Jim Risch, and Riley Barnes, the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, among others, who praised the efforts of both nations.
Sheikh Al Mahfouz bin Bayyah, the Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, underscored the exemplary roles of Morocco and the UAE in translating shared human values into actionable frameworks that promote peace and coexistence. He referenced the pivotal 2016 Marrakech Declaration, a collaborative initiative between Morocco’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, which was later endorsed at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Istanbul. This declaration, inspired by the historic Charter of Medina, outlines principles of citizenship, religious pluralism, and mutual respect among diverse communities.
Bin Bayyah articulated that both Morocco and the UAE exemplify how Muslim-majority nations can serve as contemporary models that uphold Islamic values while promoting human dignity, equal citizenship, and religious diversity, all while effectively countering extremism and hate speech. The organizers of the forum highlighted that this prestigious award not only acknowledges the strong national identities of Morocco and the UAE but also their commitment to global engagement, showcasing how they have integrated peace, tolerance, and pluralism into both their domestic policies and international initiatives.
This recognition amplifies Morocco’s ongoing efforts to foster religious moderation and peaceful coexistence, while also accentuating the UAE’s burgeoning role as a global hub for dialogue and peacebuilding initiatives. The America 250 Founders’ Promise Award serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for nations worldwide to emulate these values of tolerance and cooperation.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
