Moral Authenticity, Interfaith Dialogue, and Soft Power in the UAE

Abstract

This paper traces the evolution of the United Arab Emirates’ strong public emphasis on interfaith dialogue from the pragmatic bestowal of rights for workers and guests to a consciously articulated doctrine of coexistence. It argues that while the UAE’s initiatives in tolerance and religious coexistence arise from authentic Islamic and ethical convictions, they also function as deliberate instruments of soft power serving three overlapping purposes: consolidating domestic cohesion within a multi-faith society, enhancing the country’s global reputation and tourism appeal, and strengthening international partnerships. Drawing on official policy statements, government programs, and academic literature, the paper demonstrates that the UAE’s model of institutionalized tolerance represents a synthesis of conviction and calculation rather than a contradiction between them. It contends that moral sincerity and strategic interest reinforce one another and produce a distinctive form of moral statecraft.