United Arab Emirates Archives - IMPACT-se

UAE: A Unique Path for Teaching Tolerance

adminimpact — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper by Matan Perchikov illustrates how the UAE curricula mobilize both Arab cultural and local national heritage, as well as Islamic religious tradition, to reinforce messages of peace and tolerance. In particular, the paper highlights the importance of introducing Moral Education as a distinct subject and the pedagogic approach of Islamic Education textbooks. By drawing simultaneously on religious textual authority and national cultural identity, the curricula present tolerance not as imported or externally imposed standard, but as an organic and deeply rooted value in Emirati society.

Please find the paper here.

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The Emirati Curriculum 2016-21, Grades 1-12—Selected Examples

adminimpact — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

This IMPACT-se report provides a list of 134 selected examples from 220 textbooks in the United Arab Emirates’ national curriculum, between 2016–21. The examples illustrate the findings of our latest research report, “When Peace Goes to School: The Emirati Curriculum 2016-2021,” presenting lessons on peace, tolerance, and cooperation with the world and non-nationals, which are taught to be closely associated with prosperity and national identity. The language and moral education programs especially encourage cultural diversity, curiosity, and happiness. Additionally, the Abraham Accords are taught, and anti-Israeli material has been moderated. The research did not find antisemitism or incitement to violence, and UNESCO guidelines for peace and tolerance are generally met.

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The Emirati School Curriculum: When Peace Goes to School

adminimpact — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

When President Isaac Herzog flies to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, marking the first official visit of an Israeli president to the Gulf state, he will be welcomed by the man who is arguably the Middle East’s most effective educational reformer. According to The New York Times, Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also known as MBZ, undertook a bottom-up review of all of his country’s vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks after 9/11. Among other things, MBZ took a long, hard look at the UAE’s education ministry which Islamists had previously made into a state within a state of sorts, demanding a sweeping rewrite of the country’s textbooks. … The UAE is developing strategically to secure a stake in the emerging world order and understands that education for tolerance and peaceful coexistence is critical for societies to flourish. Emirati students are taught that prosperity and national pride are intrinsically linked to peace and tolerance, a theme that runs throughout the curriculum. Textbooks take the psychological well-being of their students seriously, educating young generations morally and spiritually for a rapidly changing global society… Complete Article HERE

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WHEN PEACE GOES TO SCHOOL: The Emirati Curriculum 2016–21

adminimpact — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000

This IMPACT-se report evaluates the UAE’s national curriculum for the 2021–22 academic school year. Among the findings: The curriculum teaches that prosperity and national pride are closely associated with peace and tolerance and encourages cooperation with the world and non-nationals. There is a realistic approach to peace and security; textbooks teach patriotism, anti-radicalism, commitment to defending the homeland and cooperating with allies, with a priority on peacemaking. Language and moral education programs encourage cultural diversity, curiosity and happiness. Students prepare for a highly competitive world and are taught positive thinking and well-being. The Abraham Accords are taught and anti-Israeli material has been moderated. The research did not find antisemitism or incitement to violence and UNESCO guidelines for peace and tolerance are generally met.

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES—MORAL EDUCATION TEXTBOOKS

adminimpact — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000

This preliminary IMPACT-se report focuses on the United Arab Emirates’ “Moral Education” curriculum, taught in all Emirates public and private schools, from grades 1-12. The research looked at the textbooks and teacher guides that make up the “Character and Morality” section of the UAE curriculum, measured against IMPACT-se’s UNESCO-derived standards of peace and tolerance. While the current research covers only this limited spectrum of the UAE curriculum, it is noteworthy that the content goes a long way to incorporate the values of peace and tolerance into a traditional education system. As such, this stand-alone course is unique in the region and may reflect UAE’s emerging leadership in the reform of textbooks.

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