Every week, The National looks at the people and politics of the UAE, as the country steps more confidently forward on the world stage.
June 19
Cabinet approves FNC’s recommendations on the General Authority of Islamic Affairs And Endowments
The Cabinet approved recommendations made last year by the Federal National Council (FNC) for the policy of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments. The 12 approved recommendations include a strategic plan to Emiratise jobs in preaching, iftaa (issuing fatwas or religious rulings), fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and sermon delivery. The other recommendations call for standardising authoritative sources of official fatwas through a central process, giving Awqaf the power to supervise all Quran memorisation centres and religious institutes, as well as amending privileges of Emirati imams, muezzins and muftis.
Sheikha Lubna lauds Khalifa’s humanitarian initiatives
Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development and head of the UAE Committee for Coordination of Foreign Humanitarian Aid, said that the sound philosophy of the UAE’s leadership, represented by President Sheikh Khalifa, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to provide assistance and humanitarian response to refugee crises around the world comes to translate into action the UAE vision of creating a crisis-free world.
June 20
UAE to organise President’s first Shooting Cup
The first UAE President Shooting Competition will be organised this year, Maj Gen Ahmed Al Raisi, chairman of the UAE Shooting Association and member of the Administrative Council of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), said during a graduation ceremony for judges and trainers. “The shooting sports in the UAE are fortunate to have the support of Their Highnesses the leaders of the country, a motivation that helps foster creativity among shooters so as to score the best results in competitions,” he said.
Hamdan bin Zayed affirms the UAE’s humanitarian responsibilities towards refugees
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and chairman of Emirates Red Crescent, said the UAE looks to provide innovative solutions to address the suffering of refugees. Sheikh Hamdan, who spoke on World Refugees Day, said the UAE sponsors a large number of refugees and displaced people – thanks to President Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
June 21
Guest scholars visit Hedayah Centre
Islamic scholars visiting the UAE as guests of President Sheikh Khalifa during Ramadan, visited the Hedayah Centre in Abu Dhabi. The scholars were accompanied during their visit by Mohammed Al Mazrouei, chief executive of Islamic Affairs at the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Awqaf. Hedayah’s executive director Maqsoud Kruse briefed scholars about the centre’s objectives of promoting dialogue and research, as well as training of Imams from Afghanistan, in collaboration with the GAIAA.
Mohammed bin Rashid visits tomb of Sheikh Zayed
The Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, visited the tomb of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed, where he read Surat Al Fatiha and prayed. Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, Mohammed Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs, and others.
June 22
Hamdan bin Zayed meets citizens in Zayed City
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, met with citizens at the city’s majlis. The majlis took place on the occasion of Ramadan, with both Sheikh Hamdan and guests praying for the continued good health and wellbeing of the President, Sheikh Khalifa. Sheikh Hamdan said that the leadership is keen on building more majlises, in residential areas, to promote communication between citizens.
Obaid Al Tayer receives Greek ambassador
Obaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, met Dionyssios Zois, Greece’s ambassador to the UAE, at the Ministry of Finance’s Abu Dhabi headquarters. The two discussed the latest developments in economic and investment relations as well as the future opportunities for cooperation between both countries.
June 23
UAE ambassador meets Iraq’s parliament speaker
The Ambassador of the UAE to Iraq, Hasan Al Shehhi, has met with the Speaker of the Iraqi council of representatives, Dr Saleem Al Jabouri, to discuss ways of promoting bilateral relations. Dr Al Jabouri expressed appreciation for the UAE’s continuous support for Iraq and its people.
UAE ambassador hosts suhoor for businessmen in Egypt
The UAE Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Mohammed Al Dhaheri, said the UAE was the second largest Arab investor in Egypt and would continue to help Egypt achieve growth, leadership, prosperity and stability. Speaking at a suhoor he hosted in honour of a group of businessmen and representatives of Emirati companies operating in Egypt, the ambassador said that more than 674 Emirati companies were investing US$5.1 billion.
June 24
ERC implements humanitarian initiative in Pakistan
Emirates Red Crescent has begun its charitable and humanitarian programmes in Pakistan, distributing food parcels and setting up iftar banquets. Hamad Al Ali, director of ERC’s office in Islamabad, with the help of ERC staff and volunteers and in coordination with the UAE Embassy in Pakistan, is carrying out the project. So far, 400 underprivileged people, including orphans in Rawalpindi, had received help. ERC is also providing meals to 200 low-income people in Peshawar, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Mr Al Ali said the initiative plans to reach government-funded orphanages throughout Pakistan, which house 3,500 children.
More than a quarter of a million people benefit as MBRF offers summarised Arabic translations of 57 global titles
Since launching its Book in Minutes initiative 18 months ago, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation said it had so far brought out Arabic summaries of 57 popular international books. Titles under this initiative fall under a variety of topics including human development, life management, leadership, family and community. During this period, the initiative has reached more than 285,000 people, including individuals and families. “The Book in Minutes initiative has been a remarkable success as demonstrated by the compliments we have been receiving from the readers, as well as other people interested in the initiative. We are keen to develop the initiative further by enriching its content with more interesting topics that touch the lives of people, enabling them to overcome challenges and enhance their knowledge,” said Jamal bin Huwaireb, managing director of MBRF.
June 25
Al Gore Advances COP21 Climate Action Campaign with Zayed Future Energy Prize Award
Former US vice president Al Gore has used his 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award, given to him by the Zayed Future Energy Prize, in January, to provide critical funding to the COP21 climate action campaign, run by the Climate Reality Project. Mr Gore established the Climate Reality Project, in 2006, to train volunteers to highlight the effects of climate change and ways to address it. The Climate Reality Project’s Road-to-Paris campaign aims to unite citizens, corporations and organisations to demand a strong agreement to dramatically cut emissions and accelerate the planet-wide shift to clean energy, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21. The summit that will seek to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate action will be held in Paris from November 30 to December 11.
UAE Embassies implement iftar projects
The UAE Embassy in Rome has begun to implement its iftar project, funded by the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Foundation for Charity and Humanitarian Works, Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation and Emirates Red Crescent. In a similar move, the UAE Embassy in Amman has stepped up its iftar scheme in Jordan in collaboration with the Emirati humanitarian and charitable organisation. The embassy is liaising with local charities to distribute thousands of iftar meals, provided throughout the holy month by Khalifa Foundation, Emirates Red Crescent, Sharjah Charitable Society and the Ahmed bin Zayed Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Works.