Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi commended the initiative and valued its success in delivering the UAE's message to the world The "Dubai Font" embodies the pivotal role of the government as an incubator of Tolerance

The initiative directly supports the themes and goals

of the National Tolerance Program

Dubai, 22 May 2017- Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khaled Al Qasimi, the Minister of State for Tolerance, confirmed her support for the initiative of the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of the State of Dubai which has left an international footprint in the field of digital technology as represented by the “Dubai Font”. The latter was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai as a gift from Dubai to the world in a clear embodiment of the government's role as an incubator of tolerance.

Her Excellency Al Qasimi stressed the importance of the "Dubai Font" which embodies a range of values of which the State is proud. These include happiness, giving, courage, modernity and tolerance, creativity and innovation, pride in the cultural heritage, co-existence, constructive cooperation with all people, all of which directly support the themes and goals of the National Program for tolerance that has been previously announced by the United Arab Emirates.

This occurred during the visit her Excellency made to the Dubai Design District d3 yesterday where she viewed the artwork exhibited within the framework of recent activities related to launch of the "Dubai Font". Her Excellency expressed her admiration for the graffiti drawings on the walls, which bring the concept of tolerance to life in a creative way. She said: "We are pleased today to support the "Dubai Font" initiative which aims at reviving the values that are deeply ingrained in the UAE society, including the message of tolerance which our beloved country seeks to deliver all over the world, at a time when others are focusing on differences instead of the common human values that bring us together".

Al Qasimi pointed out that the "Dubai Font" was a global initiative that has gone beyond the local and regional borders to include the world as a whole, and serves to reinforce the UAE's leading role in spreading the concepts of tolerance and giving. She added: “This initiative extends beyond the boundaries of the field to include the world as a whole. It is an innovative step which translates the efforts of the State to put into effect the content of the message of tolerance which seeks to support cohesion and unity among the various peoples through linguistic communication and self-expression in an innovative manner which promotes the acceptance of pluralism and distinctiveness".

She added: “Since its establishment, the UAE, under the guidance of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has adopted a unique model of tolerance, co-existence and acceptance of others. This approach was continued under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the State, who approved the idea of establishing a special ministry for tolerance. And we seek to instill this worthy model in the new generations through our national program in order that they may continue on this course."

On the other hand, Her Excellency stressed the importance of this initiative in supporting innovation, which enhances the role of the Emirate and emphasizes its excellence in the digital world. Her Excellency also highlighted the role of youth in promoting cultural tolerance at the highest levels, as the Arab youth spend an average of six hours a day on social media and so the "Dubai Font" now provides them with a new digital method for self-expression which can be used in all their dealings.

For his part, His Excellency Abdulla Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani, the Secretary General of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai said: "We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, for her continuous support of the various initiatives of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, particularly the "Dubai Font" which in its essence, comprises the basic factors that have made the Emirate of Dubai a symbol and an icon of tolerance and success". He added: The "Dubai Font" was designed in both Arabic and English as well as 21 other languages in order to achieve the desired harmony between them. Twenty one other languages are also included within the scope of this project, which is but a clear interpretation of the noble message carried by the Emirates of upholding the principles of tolerance and harmonious living among all peoples of different religions and races:. His Excellency added: "The directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council were to the effect that the "Dubai Font" was to be a gift from Dubai to the world, one which carries our national messages of firmly establishing the principles of respect and acceptance of others".

For his part, Engineer Ahmad Al Mahri, Assistant Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai and General Secretariat Affairs and the Director of the "Dubai Font" project said: "We are very proud of the great support we have received from Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna for this innovative initiative which will no doubt leave the UAE's footprint across the world and in the various fields including the digital world of typefaces".

Al Mahri added: "His Highness Sheikh Hamdan's vision of the "Dubai Font" is a world-class initiative and a pillar of all our national programs in general, as well the achievement of the Emirate of Dubai's strategic goals in particular. This is the embodiment of the pivotal role played by the UAE on this journey of human goodwill and the achievement of the principle of tolerance and goodwill between all the countries of the world.  Growth, development and prosperity, which are dependent on the acceptance of others, are symbolized by the “Dubai Font" which grants individuals around the world a unique way to express themselves that helps to firmly instill and strengthen these values so as to ensure cohesion between the people".

The "Dubai Font" is the first font in the world that is named for and created by a city, in cooperation with Microsoft and developed as per the highest technological standards in the field.

The "Dubai Font" is a digital medium allowing people around the world to express themselves, their personalities and feelings. It directly supports the UAE's pioneering efforts in promoting the values of tolerance in the community and the world through the launch of the National Program for Tolerance which is based on Islam, the constitution of the UAE, the heritage of Zayed, UAE ethics, international conventions, archeology and history, human instinct and common values. This is in addition to the main themes which include strengthening the government role as an incubator of tolerance, reinforcing the role of the close knit family in building a tolerant society, promoting tolerance among youth and protecting them from fanaticism and extremism, enriching the scientific and cultural content of tolerance and participating in international efforts in promoting and highlighting the role of the state as a tolerant country.

The "Dubai Font" can be downloaded from the following link: www.Dubaifont.com 

The End

Additional Information:

About the Executive Council The Executive Council of Dubai was established by virtue of Law No. (3) of 2003 to assist the Governor in performing his duties and exercising his powers. The Executive Council is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the first deputy chairman of the Executive Council and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum is the second deputy chairman of the Board. The Executive Council is the main decision-making body at the level of the Government of Dubai under the supreme supervision of His Highness the ruler of Dubai with regards to the formulation of public policies, the supervision of the proper implementation of federal and local laws at the level of the Emirate of Dubai, the approval of draft laws and decrees, the approval of development plans and the establishment and organization of various governmental bodies and agencies. The Council includes a number of department heads and general directors of government authorities.

About the Secretariat General: The General Secretariat of the Executive Council was established by virtue of Law No. (3) for the year 2003 to carry out a set of functions and tasks aimed at supporting the Executive Council in developing and adopting appropriate decisions, policies and strategies, as well as monitoring and following up their implementation by government agencies. The General Secretariat is also responsible for providing technical support in the preparation of the Dubai Strategic Plan and the strategies of the various sectors, as well as managing government programs targeting excellence in government processes and services, offering suggestions that contribute to develop and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector, and coordinating the activities of the Executive Council and Sector Committees. 

For more information please contact:

Mr. Ibrahim Al Sobuh

Ibrahiem.alsobuh@tec.gov.ae

Telephone: +9714 4399327

Department of Government Communications

The General Secretariat of the Executive Council

Emirate of Dubai

United Arab Emirates

April 2012