UAE People & Politics: A week in review

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, attended an event on Monday at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, oShow more

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 2

UAE renews condemnation of terrorist attacks in Egypt

Khalifa Al Tunaiji, the UAE Deputy Permanent Representative to the Arab League, reiterated the country’s condemnation of the terrorist attacks in North Sinai that resulted in the death of dozens of Egyptian armed forces and police personnel.

July 3

UAE Embassy in Senegal oversees distribution of food baskets

The UAE Embassy in Dakar supervised the distribution of more than 2,200 Ramadan food baskets. The aid is part of the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation’s programme in cooperation with the Senegal Service Association.

Palestinian PM hails UAE’s charitable work

Rami Hamdallah, the Palestinian prime minister, praised Human Appeal International (HAI) and other UAE associations for helping orphans and poor families in Palestine. Mr Hamdallah said Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas appreciates HAI and Zakat Committees’ humanitarian work.

UAE backs international development, says Lubna

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, said the UAE has become an effective player in international development, citing the country’s fight against underdevelopment, poverty and poor infrastructure in developing countries, aiding education and health in poor communities, and its capacity to respond to any humanitarian crisis or disaster.

Rashid Centre for Disabled launches international award

To mark Zayed Humanitarian Work Day on the 19th of Ramadan, the Rashid Centre for the Disabled launched the Zad Zayed International Award. The award aims to deepen the values and legacy of the UAE’s founding father. It also aims to urge the community to boost positive practices and noble values.

July 4

Sheikh Hazza chairs Emirates ID board meeting

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, National Security Adviser, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Identity Authority, said the authority would spare no effort to back the Federal National Council elections on October 3. Sheikh Hazza said the elections require Emirates ID to mobilise all its capabilities to support the process, which he described as a national celebration.

Dubai Charity Association announces phase 2 of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Village in Mauritania

In the second phase of the project, 31 houses, a mosque, a school, a clinic and market will be built at a cost of Dh600,000. Ahmed Mesmar, secretary general of the Dubai Charity Association, said a five-member family could live in each house. Construction will be completed by Ramadan next year.

UAE Ambassador briefed on services provided at Emirati-Jordanian Camp for Syrians

Bilal Al Budoor, UAE Ambassador to Jordan, was briefed on services provided to Syrians in the Emirati-Jordanian Camp, located in Mereijeeb Al Fuhood. The ambassador was also briefed on the role of the Emirates Red Crescent team in the camp.

July 5

Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa receives envoys

Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President, received at his palace Salah Mohammed Baijan, Kuwait’s ambassador to the UAE, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Qatabi, Oman’s ambassador to the UAE, a number of Arab diplomats, and Dr Mohammed Al Kaabi, chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.

RAK Ruler opens Bosnia property exhibition

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, opened the first Bosnian property exhibition at the Ras Al Khaimah Hotel under the theme “Investment and Tourism in Bosnia”.

July 6

Hamdan honours Emirates Red Crescent donors

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and president of the Emirates Red Crescent, honoured the most generous donors to the ERC and emphasised that their initiatives enhance the approach followed by the country’s leadership to promote philanthropy and the values upheld by Emiratis who are inspired by their forefathers.

Fujairah Ruler lauds Zayed Humanitarian Work Day

Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, said Zayed Humanitarian Work Day represents loyalty to the late Sheikh Zayed, who promoted unlimited generosity. The Ruler of Fujairah said the day also celebrates the UAE’s humanitarian approach, established by the Founding Father who upheld and promoted noble values.

Sharjah Ruler sends condolences to Saudi King

Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, sent a cable of condolence to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia over the death of Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Missaed bin Jalawi Al Saud, governor of the northern border region.

July 7

Emir of Qatar receives Sheikh Mansour

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, emir of Qatar, met Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. Sheikh Mansour conveyed the greetings of President Sheikh Khalifa to the emir, with his best wishes for stability, progress and prosperity to the Qatari people.

Rulers of Fujairah, Ajman and UAQ offer condolences

Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, each sent cables of condolence to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia on the death of Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Missaed bin Jalawi Al Saud, governor of the northern border region.

Red Crescent implements iftar programmes

In Senegal, the ERC distributed 500 food parcels, while in Gambia it distributed food parcels in Banjul. In Mauritania, thousands of families benefited from the project. In Niger, the ERC distributed food parcels in coordination with Al Falah Charity Society, while in Somalia, the ERC distributed iftar meals in Mogadishu.

Sheikha Fatima honoured as Islamic personality

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, was honoured as the Islamic personality of the year at the 19th Dubai International Holy Quran Award ceremony.

July 8

Abdullah opens foreign ministry’s Diplomatic Club

Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed opened the Diplomatic Club at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The club bears the name of the martyr Khalifa Al Mubarak, UAE’s former ambassador to Paris who was assassinated in 1984 in Paris.

RAK Crown Prince lays foundation stone for emirate’s first thalassaemia centre

Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, and Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa, Adviser to the President, and president of the Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation, laid the foundation stone for the first thalassaemia centre in RAK.

Vice President meets outstanding students

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, met outstanding students from national military universities and colleges at Zabeel Palace. Sheikh Mohammed told the students: “You are the future leaders of our country and we rely on you to achieve progress in knowledge, economy, culture, sports, medicine and other fields.”

Housing beneficiaries named

Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme has approved names of 700 beneficiaries of housing support at a cost of Dh348 million.

Sharjah Ruler receives Iraqi vice president

Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, received Ramadan greetings from Iraqi vice president Dr Iyad Alawi at Al Badee Al Amir Palace. Sheikh Sultan also received greetings from sheikhs, senior officials, dignitaries and citizens.

July 9

ERC distributes Eid clothing and Zakat in Tunisia

The Emirates Red Crescent has begun the distribution of Eid clothing and Zakat for Eid al Fitr to underprivileged families in Tunisia.

Sheikh Tahnoun receives envoys of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Palestine

Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region, received ambassadors Mohammed bin Hamad Saqr Al Moawada, Salah Mohammed Al Baijan, Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Ali Al Qatabi, Issam Tawfiq Massalha, of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Palestine respectively.

Khalifa receives cable of thanks from Azerbaijan president

President Sheikh Khalifa has received a cable of thanks from Ilham Aliyev, president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in reply to his congratulatory cable to the Azerbaijan president, on the occasion of the Azerbaijan National Day.