Abu Dhabi skyline
Abu Dhabi skylineiStock

The United Arab Emirates launched a center for regional coexistence, with the Anti-Defamation League as a flagship partner, on Tuesday.

Based in Abu Dhabi and named after the Arabic word meaning “source of light,” the Manara Center – The Regional Center for Coexistence will support “core UAE values” and the kingdom’s coexistence initiatives, such as the Year of Tolerance and the Abrahamic Family House.

The center, in partnership with the ADL, will work to implement key educational programming. According to ADL, its major priorities include forging relationships with universities across the Middle East and Southeast Asia to promote peace and prosperity through coexistence, with programming for university students and young learners.

ADL said that the launch of the center comes after many years of close collaboration between the UAE and ADL. The opening event was attended by ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, an ADL leadership delegation, and Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Manara Center. Al Nuaimi is a “leading global voice on combating extremism and promoting inclusion.”

“We are delighted to partner with ADL, one of the world’s best organizations to promote peace, dispel stereotypes, and bring people from all backgrounds together,” Al Nuaimi said. “The Manara Center will be based in our region and for the benefit of our region.”

The board of directors of the center is made up of leading experts from around the world with experience in coexistence work. Greenblatt will represent ADL on the board.

“ADL brings 100 years of expertise in combating the roots of antisemitism and hate of all forms,” Greenblatt said. “We are honored for ADL to be the key player in providing educational programming for this incredible effort. The Manara Center is a continuation of the progress towards peace and co-existence in the Middle East, building on the historic achievements in the region and we look forward to continuing our work to bring people together in innovative ways in the years to come.”

ADL said it will work closely with the center to “build, enhance and deploy comprehensive and tested programs to promote coexistence.”

The center’s first educational programs will begin in August 2023.