In 500 words or fewer (one page single-spaced), please describe a research project that might undertake as an NYU Abu Dhabi student to gain a deeper understanding of one particular topic of interest

In 500 words or fewer (one page single-spaced), please describe a research project that might undertake as an NYU Abu Dhabi student to gain a deeper understanding of one particular topic of interest to you in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Please use the information at the UAE Interact website (http://www.uaeinteract.com/) for ideas. Pose a research question (in one sentence) and describe how you would gather information to answer your question. Discuss possible obstacles that might arise in your research as well as any ethical dimensions of the research to which you would need to be attentive.

How “responsible leadership” can make a difference in the promotion, protection and full enjoyment of the right to religious freedom?

The right to freedom of religion is a burning social issueof a contemporary world. I assume that NYUAD with its location in fascinating Middle East would be an ideal place to implement a research project in such kind of area linked to my favorable major in Social Research and Public Policy. Nowadays more than a billion people live under governments that systematically suppress the freedom of religion. Responsible leaders should wrestle with questions of whether and how to protect religious freedom for the society. The absence of this vital part of the modern government can consequence in creating a climate of fear and suspicion that weakens social cohesion, and therefore makes It more difficult to achieve a national progress.

I would start my research by gaining the information from various sources about different faiths in the world, learning their perspectives and peculiar features. From the speech of Hilary Clinton to the nation last July I learned that religious freedom is not just about the right of Roman Catholics to organize a mass, or Muslims to hold a religious funeral, or Jews to celebrate High Holy Days together, but it is also about the right of people to think what they want, say what they think, and come together in fellowship without the state looking over their shoulder.

Personally I believe participating in regional and international programs aimed at bringing peoples together and fostering tolerance, respect and dialogue would undoubtedly assist in promoting religious freedom. Recently I was inspired by two young ladies, Hannah Rosenthal and Farah Pandith, who came up with an amazing idea after attending an OSCE tolerance summit together: they began asking young people to pledge to spend one just hour working with people who do not look or pray like them. Hence, Jews were encouraged to volunteer to clean a mosque, Muslims to volunteer to help elderly Christians get to church, and many other examples. The campaign, now called 2012 Hours Against Hate, has elicited commitments from young people around the world to spend tens of thousands of hours walking in someone else’s shoes.

According to the recent annual “Religious Freedom Report” The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made significant progress in human rights and religious freedom, but certain regulations, restrictions and discrimination shown towards people of other faiths like for instance, lambasting Buddhist chants in public places, represent some of the challenges in moving towards the goal of full religious and cultural tolerance. The UAE is officially regarded as Muslim country, so representatives of other faiths should respect Muslim religious sensibilities on matters such as public consumption of alcohol, modest dress and public deportment.

I hope that because of such project we will be able to understand the importance of values and principles of the religious freedom, and seek the ways that we all can continue to further it, to protect it, and to spread it.

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