Perhaps many of our readers, Emiratis and expatriates alike, will wonder at the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Government of Abu Dhabi. Celebrations are common for leaders and nations, but for the government of one emirate? Yet there is a good reason for the celebration and to understand why requires returning many decades back to the 1960s.
In the early 1960s, Abu Dhabi still had only modest oil production. The UAE didn’t yet exist and life in the emirate was still uncertain. There was no bureaucracy or civil service. There was no real government yet. If there were problems, they were solved between individuals or with communal mediation.
The founding of the Abu Dhabi Government in 1966 marked a change and a statement of intent by the new ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed. Sheikh Zayed, as is now well-known, had immense ambitions, not merely to build a modern state in Abu Dhabi, but to bring together seven emirates into a federation.
The Abu Dhabi Government was the first step. It professionalised the development of the emirate, creating an administration, different departments and ministries, and giving each responsibility for a particular aspect. Roads, schools, hospitals and police. Security, agriculture, electricity and justice. Each of these now had a department to oversee its development.
This was a significant change and must have seemed to many in the emirate at the time – there were merely tens of thousands, Abu Dhabians and expatriates – as excessive. But this was the vision of Sheikh Zayed, that Abu Dhabi would become a modern emirate, marked by rapid development, and that development needed a strong organisational foundation.
This is the situation that the emirate, now part of a federation, finds itself in today. In every respect, Abu Dhabi has changed. The population now is over two and half million. The capital is the very definition of a modern city. The functions of government are smooth and divided: it is clear which department handles what. Those things are worth celebrating, because a professional civil service is necessary for the functioning of a modern state.
In one thing, however, Abu Dhabi has stayed the same. Those at the top of government are still part of the community. The government has become a bureaucracy, but it is certainly not faceless.
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
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RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
Concrete and Gold
Foo Fighters
RCA records
List of alleged parties
May 15 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at
least 17 staff members
May 20 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'bring your own booze'
party
Nov 27 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary
Gavin Williamson
Dec 13 2020: PM and Carrie throw a flat party
Dec 14 2020: London mayor candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative
Party headquarters
Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
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