Every week, The National looks at the people and politics of the UAE, as the country steps more confidently forward on the world stage.
July 9
Tahnoon receives ambassadors of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Palestine
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed, Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region, received ambassadors Mohammed Al Moawada, Salah Al Baijan, Mohammed Al Qatabi and Issam Massalha, of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Palestine, respectively. Sheikh Tahnoon exchanged greetings with the envoys on the occasion of Ramadan. They wished continued peace and security to the UAE. The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Sheikh Hazza bin Tahnoon, Undersecretary of the Diwan of the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region, Sheikh Dhiyab bin Tahnoon, Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon, Sheikh Zayed bin Tahnoon and a number of officials at the diwan.
UAE Embassy distributes dates at London mosques
The UAE Embassy in London took charge of distributing tons of dates donated by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation to mosques, Islamic centres, charities, relief agencies, universities and schools offering free iftar meals for Muslim students. The beneficiaries of the donation, which was given on the directives of the President Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, included Emirati hospital patients and their companions, embassies of other Arab and Muslim countries in the UK, Regent’s Park Mosque, Al Muntada Al-Islami Trust in Parsons Green, the Al-Manaar (Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre), Hounslow Mosque and Gatton Road Mosque.
July 10
Umm Al Quwain Ruler meets citizens at Al Raffah
Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, met citizens living in Al Raffah. Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince of UAQ, was also in attendance. The Ruler and the audience exchanged greetings on Ramadan, wishing President Sheikh Khalifa good health.
Fujairah Ruler meets craftsmen
Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, held a meeting at Al Remailah Palace with a group from Mohammed bin Rashid Holy Quran Printing Centre. During the meeting, the Ruler was briefed on the phases of printing, including maintaining quality standards. Faisal bin Haider, chief of printing and distribution at Dubai Media Incorporation, said the centre was set up in accordance with the directives of the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, to print the Quran as per world-class standards. He said the centre, competent authorities and a specialised committee composed of Quran experts cooperate to avoid printing random and unauthenticated versions.
July 12
Space centre to implement Masdar development
Students and faculty staff from the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology have won top prizes for their high-resolution satellite data application in a competition held by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre. Masdar’s teams defeated 23 others to win three of the top five prizes at the Remote Sensing Applications Competition 2014. The main purpose of the RSAC 2014, launched last September, is to enhance the development of applications that use data provided by DubaiSat-2, the UAE’s second Earth imaging satellite.
Emirati doctors respond to million hour campaign
In line with Zayed Humanitarian Work Day, dozens of doctors responded to a million hour campaign to volunteer to treat poor people worldwide. Emirati surgeon Adel Al Shamri, chief executive of the Zayed Giving Initiative, said Emirati doctors had volunteered based on their high sense of responsibility to to help the needy, especially children and the elderly. He added that the campaign was launched during the closing ceremony of Doctors for Humanity, hosted by the UAE.
Ajman Ruler receives Ajman Club for the Disabled group
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, received a delegation from Ajman Club for the Disabled on the occasion of Zayed Humanitarian Work Day. At the meeting at Al Zaher Palace, Sheikh Humaid stressed that Zayed Humanitarian Work Day, which falls on the 19th day of Ramadan every year and is observed in the memory of the founding president, Sheikh Zayed, is an occasion to remember the founder of modern day humanitarian work who promoted the values of philanthropy and generosity. “The late Sheikh Zayed once said that the country’s youth who enjoy good health should learn from the disabled who challenge their disability and prove to be a creative power that contributes to modern development and the building of the country,” Sheikh Humaid said.
July 13
Gargash lectures on FNC elections
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Election Committee, said the number of voters for the FNC elections has increased from 7,000 in 2005 to 130,000 in 2011 to more than 224,000 voters in the upcoming polls in October. “Through the gradual expansion of political participation, the country’s leadership aims to establish a national experience that unites citizens,” Dr Gargash said at a seminar hosted by the FNC and the Emirates Writers Union. The gradual increase, he said, is in line with the political empowerment programme launched by President Sheikh Khalifa in 2005.
Al Roumi launches initiative to improve Social Affairs Ministry’s services
Mariam Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs, has launched an initiative to maintain direct communication between the ministry’s leaders and the beneficiaries of its social support programmes. The Minister announced the We Go To You initiative during a meeting with the owners of nursery licences. As part of We Go To You, ministry leaders will pay field visits to all beneficiaries of social aid and development programmes.
July 14
Minister attends celebration of Egypt’s Revolution Day
Sharif Badawi, consul general of Egypt in Dubai, has praised the UAE’s leaders for their support of the Egyptian people. His remarks were made at a ceremony hosted by the consulate general of Egypt to celebrate country’s 63rd anniversary of the Revolution Day. The ceremony was attended by Dr Rashid bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, and a number of consuls of Arab and other countries. “Our celebration today with our brothers in the UAE has a special impact on us and is allowing us to share sincere feelings of love and affection,” Mr Badawi said. The consul general thanked President Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the Rulers of the Emirates, for their support for Egypt and its people.
Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah receives students
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Foreign Minister, received students pursuing the scholarship programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the presence of Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on the sidelines of a ceremony to honour winners of the Foreign Minister Excellence Award.
July 15
HIPA to donate laptops to support education
The secretary general of the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award, HIPA, has announced that the organisation will be donating a number of used laptops to support educational programmes. Ali Al Humairi said the gesture is part of Dubai Municipality’s campaign to donate used equipment to those in need and to support educational programmes in social and educational institutions as well as charities in the UAE and abroad. Mr Al Humairi said: “HIPA sincerely believes in the importance of environmental and resource preservation and we see this initiative as a great way of maintaining this vision. We hope that this will also educate the public on the importance of recycling resources.”
July 16
Vice President promotes officers, staff in the Civil Defence
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has ordered promotion of 223 officers and 200 civilian staff and employees at the General Directorate of Civil Defence in Dubai. The promotions are in appreciation of excellent performance in discharging their duties.
Fujairah Crown Prince attends honours Grade 12 achievers
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, attended a ceremony at the Novotel Hotel, Fujairah, honouring 46 Grade 12 achievers. The event was organised by Fujairah Educational Zone. He also honoured principals whose schools topped Fujairah Educational Zone’s list of best schools. Sheikh Mohammed emphasised the keenness of Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, on supporting its educational system.