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His Excellency Fahad Saeed Al Raqbani, UAE Ambassador to France, this week welcomed high-level guests to the Fourth Intercultural Iftar at the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) to celebrate the spirit of Ramadan and cultural dialogue.
 
Attendees included Xavier Chatel, Strategic Affairs Advisor to the French President, and Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, former Minister of Culture. The event gathered high-level guests from political, economic, and cultural spheres, spanning diverse sectors such as education, tolerance and coexistence, sustainability, youth and sports, science and technology, and health. This broad representation and diversity of stakeholders ensured that the event captured a comprehensive range of perspectives and contributed to a richer dialogue across several critical areas.
 
Held at the historic BnF, this year's iftar hosted by the embassy underscored the importance of shared cultural heritage as an efficient tool to enhance global stability and cooperation. As one of the world's most prestigious libraries, the BnF symbolizes the preservation and transmission of knowledge across generations and societies.

The venue emphasizes our shared responsibility to safeguard traditions as a bridge between cultures – a principle reflected by the UAE's commitment to preserving humanity’s heritage sites across regions and cultures, and in the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visionary leadership and dedication to fostering peace and tolerance globally.

The 2025 Iftar was a celebration of humanity’s collective heritage, dedicated to dialogue, tolerance, and mutual understanding. By bringing together prominent figures from diverse backgrounds, the event highlighted the importance of intercultural exchange in promoting harmony between cultures. The event took place within the walls of an institution dedicated to preserving the world’s intellectual legacy. The evening reflected the UAE's steadfast commitment to fostering a respectful and cohesive society, one that embraces tolerance and coexistence while rejecting all forms of discrimination and bias.

The evening highlighted the UAE’s enduring vision for the future, which is rooted in ensuring prosperity for generations to come. By championing cultural preservation and facilitating meaningful dialogue, the UAE continues to build bridges between civilizations, encouraging future generations to uphold these principles and safeguard the shared heritage.

In this regard, H.E. Al Raqbani said, “In a challenging period for our societies, it is important to affirm the importance of the unwavering universal values of human fraternity and intercultural dialogue. They have the power to create harmony among people, despite different cultures. This is why intercultural dialogue is a powerful tool to strengthen understanding, tolerance, achieving peace, and sustainable development.”