Azhar praises new UAE anti-discrimination law

Azhar has praised a law issued by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan criminalizing all forms of discrimination, protects religion and religious institutions, bans vandalism, insults to Allah and prophets.

"Such laws maintain national unity and protect freedoms, personal views, ideas and religious belief," Azhar said in a statement on Wednesday.

Azhar praised wise vision of the UAE leadership which passed this law after it realized risks that tear communities and fuel strife and conflicts.

Azhar voiced hope that the remaining Arab countries will issue similar laws to block a way before those who sow the seeds of strife and politically exploit religion.

The newly-enacted law criminalizes all forms of discrimination on the grounds of religion, caste, creed, doctrine, race, color or ethnic origin.

It bans hate speech through any media with the intention of providing a “sound foundation for the environment of tolerance, broad­mindedness and acceptance in the UAE and aims to safeguard people regardless of their origin, beliefs or race, against acts that promote religious hatred and intolerance.”