The United Arab Emirates has entered a new phase aimed at full achievement of “religious freedom” by enacting a new legislation that prohibits and criminalizes the defamation of religions and discourses that emit hatred everywhere, namely public forums, media outlets (particularly the electronic ones). This legislation was met with honorable worldwide acclamation. At the Arab level, it received low-level approval fearing that the “virus” would be transmitted to other countries.
This is actually a daring step and is in the right direction as the atmospheres prevailing in the Arab region have transcended the stage of tension and reached the stage of explosion leading to the unprecedented emergence of extremist movements and gangs calling for the extermination of the others. The Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIS) took the lead in carrying out the ugliest phases of this explosion by exuding venom everywhere The ultimate reaction of all the Arab countries never crossed the limit of issuing statements of denunciation to all those who were negatively affected by the venoms of ISIS, which consequently made them in turn emit the venoms of hatred verbally and in writing as well as express rejection of “others” or even rather call for their displacement.
As for the UAE which experiences religious plurality--that is not indigenous but rather triggered by the atmosphere of industry and trade as well as by openness to progress--has realized that the whole matter needs issuing a “legislation”. It, furthermore, needs punishing whoever disparages religious symbols and dares to label others as infidels, instills the spirit of hatred, vengeance, and bigotry as well as the culture of “cancellation of others”.
It is beautiful to read this piece of news about a fraternal Arab country at a time when we mark in our Jordanian Kingdom the first anniversary of the arrival of the first batch of Iraqi refugees from Mosul. We opened to them our hearts wide before opening our doors since they are not merely suffering from political displacement but rather from religious displacement. They came to us not merely as result of statements addressed to them that exuded hatred, but rather as a result of threats targeting them, their children and livelihood so long they maintained their religion. They fled holding faith in their hearts since it is not subject for sale.
It is worthy to note that the UAE, through the UAE Red Crescent, extended a helping hand to those displaced and paid the rent to several families in order to protect them from the sweltering summer and freezing winter. Thus, both the UAE, through its assistance and legislation, and Jordan, through its open-door policy and its initiatives that bring closer the followers of religions, have paved a new way that transcends compliments and resounding speeches thus leading to housing the displaced and to calling for respect for followers of religions by abstaining from inflicting any kind of harm to any symbol that has the right to express itself and take pride in adhering to its faith.
Yes to mutual respect.
Yes to maintaining the sublime plurality of the Orient.
O Jordan and the UAE, may others follow your example.
