ABU DHABI // The Federal National Council has an accomplished writer and a man of literature as its Speaker.
Mohammed Al Murr, born in 1954, was one of the first writers in the UAE to reach a large international audience, with a number of his works translated from Arabic into English.
After finishing his Bachelor’s degree in the US, Mr Al Murr returned to the UAE to work in banking.
He then became editor-in-chief of the English-language daily newspaper Khaleej Times and executive director of Dubai's Arabic daily Al Bayan.
He was a contributor to Sharjah's Al Khaleej with a column called Awraq Al Ahad, or Sunday paper, and to Al Bayan with Hadeeth Al Ethnein – Monday conversation. For Al Reyada Wa Al Shabab, he wrote Muntasaf Al Esbo3, or middle of the week column.
Some of Mr Al Murr's books include UAE As Seen By Austrians, Around the World in 22 Days, National Hopes, Wonders of the World and Kalam Al Nass.
From 2004 until 2008, Mr Al Murr was chairman of the Dubai Cultural Council. After that, he was appointed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to be deputy chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
In 2011, he was appointed by Sheikh Mohammed once again, this time to the FNC, and from the first session, members unanimously agreed he would become the Speaker.
He has opened every session with an expressive and sometimes powerful speech – a job made easier by his years of writing.
At the start of every term, Mr Al Murr has encouraged members to join committees and appointed them based on their specialities, particularly when the council increased the number of committees to nine last year after the formation of the human rights committee.
Over the past three years, he has given the floor to as many members as possible who have asked to speak, but he has also tried to ensure sessions did not drag on into the evening.
He has kept order in sessions.
When members were still fresh in their first year, member Hamad Al Rahoomi wanted to bring up the subject of the sunken ship White Whale – which sank off Umm Al Quwain in October 2011 – after reports surfaced that it had leaked oil. Mr Al Murr, however, ruled that was not a matter on the agenda.
Although rare, he has mediated in clashes between members.
When one member jokingly accused another for using personal motives to amend a law, Mr Al Murr denounced the act and demanded the member apologise and take back his statements. The incident was stricken from the council’s minutes at his request. Other than one major clash with member Ali Jassim, which caused Mr Jassim to walk out of the session, Mr Al Murr has rarely been in conflict with council members publicly.
As the session moderator, he has never failed to help explain members’ remarks to ministers and other members of the Government when they had lost track of discussions.
osalem@thenational.ae
