Author: Zara

13^th May 2012 will always remain a historic day that will never leave my memory; a moment to ponder at that will never leave my mind and soul.

I shook hands with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. I had the honor of meeting him four times on stage of Emirates Palace Auditorium and on a very unique occasion in the process of development of government work in our “unique” country. It is the occasion of honoring the winners of the Emirates Award for Excellence in Government Performance “Sheikh Khalifa Government Excellence Program”.

Perhaps it was the first time in my life to look into HH Sheikh Mohammed’s eyes, so what have I seen in them?

I have seen him as a unique leader with far sight, deep vision and extensive wisdom. I looked into HH Sheikh Mohammed’s eyes and I could immediately see the unprecedented love he has for the UAE and its people. I could see his solid determination and high morale which does not know the word “impossible”, understands only the language of excellence and accepts only the noble objectives as a goal, creativity as an approach and success as a title.

I am running out of words to describe what I have seen in HH Sheikh Mohammed’s eyes. I have seen unspoken exhaustion, the type that makes the person feel happy for exerting it willingly for his nation and the welfare of its people and all those residing on the land of our dear and generous country, not surprising from him, being a great leader.

HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai will always remain a unique example of an excellent leader in the “unique” UAE, always seeking “distinction” in confident and able steps with hope and promise.. with happiness and joy.

13^th May 2012

It was a day that will always remain in my memory as a significant title of excellence for the process of development of government work in our beloved country. It is a process whose features are drawn by the ability of HH Sheikh Mohammed to look forward to a better future and according to his endless dreams; such dreams that see the UAE as one of the best countries in the world, or even the world’s best country and one of the world’s most distinguished, successful and beautiful countries.

 

A UAE citizen has every right to be happy whenever his country makes a new achievement and flies with colors.

The UAE has been rankedfirst in the world forits efficient financial policy. This is, by all accounts, an unprecedented accomplishment.

He/she should be cheerful but sensiblewhile expressing the feelings towards every new accomplishment of far-reaching and efficient work.

It is unquestionable that we are the country of initiatives and ambitious people. We are the home of distinguished relations between the leadership and the people. We are the home of the dynamic government, which works hard at present, keeping an eye on the future and wholeheartedly working in the interest, convenience and welfare of each and every citizen.

We are those who belong to the country of comprehensive and balanced development. We are the country in which government has laid down the efficient financial policy, where everything is properly kept. The witty observer should revise the laws and decisions on the general budget of the federation and aspects of expenditure over the past years to ensure how this nascent state has painstakingly endeavored to create a better life for its citizens, as if that goal is on top of all other objectives.

Everything has been kept in its right place, or as is where the government expenditure is required to be , in a sense that it is rationalized. The matter, however, did not reach that point overnight, but ran on its normal course towards evolution. The budget, when chalked out, considered the performance against the budgetary items, and spending is made according to a plan and conceived outcome.

UAE today is the first country worldwide in terms of the efficiency of government financial policy.

Therefore, and on this occasion, the Emirati should be delighted, and can see the difference when compares his country with other Arab countries which have the same financial resources. The UAE has – in a span of short time and since the inception of the Federation – made a quantum leap and achieved a lot.

Other Arab countries which have the same financial powers, or even much more, squandered them for they subject the wealth to personal mood and mismanagement.  Instead of putting things on the right place, spending in the said countries was allocated to fictitious and unreal prioritized projects and programs. This eventually led to disasters which the world by and large has seenlive.

In the UAE, praise be to Allah, the matter is different. Acitizen has the right to be happy butreciprocally he/she should continue dedication and work hard, always looking forward to the future, belonging to this land, being loyal to the leadership and contributing to the efforts of a government that determinedly wants to score top places worldwide. It is now clearing the hurdles with great success to reach the apex.

The Programme of Population Register and Identity Card (ID) has come out and figured prominently.  It serves as a catalyst and answer to many questions, as well as a solution to problems everyone knows, especially in our country, which suffers from stark imbalance in the demographic structure. All of us feel the danger, and we all should work, as supposed to be, to contribute to address the hitch.

If we have initiatives to redress the imbalance of the demographic structure, the Population Register program is on top the list. It has the potentials to monitor, follow up, know exactly how to control and manage the population map. With elapse of days and years, the paramount importance of the project has become much known, and sense of awareness spread among the Emiratis and expatriates. Such awareness is expected to take deep roots, and reflects positively through practices on the ground.

The Emirates Identity Authority has dealt professionally and transparently with different issues related to its activity, especially those pertaining to the public.

Therefore, it is no wonder, if it scooped the awards of excellence thereafter. Moreover, its name has always been read out among the laureates.

Work is tremendous and requires cooperation of everybody to understand what is meant by the decision of extending the deadline to one more month to the convenience of Dubai residents to obtain or get their ID’s renewed.

It is required from all , later, to respond positively to  the concept, the project and the program, as the decision of extending the deadline to one more month was nothing , but meant to render the service to as many numbers as possible  of the residents of wonderful Dubai, under the slogan of quality and efficiency.

Eventually, “Identity” is, by all accounts, the project of the future. It is true that we know how advantageous it is today, and at this moment, but we will come to know much more about its benefit tomorrow.

Dear brothers and sisters

In love we always meet

And in good we always get-together

Each and every one of us has seen the positive changes which have taken place in the Emirates Identity Authority over the past three years. Everybody must have felt the magnitude of these changes—quantatively and qualitatively, creatively and outstandingly.

We all must have seen how beautiful our wonderful and outstanding Authority is.

The Authority huddles as us like a loving mother.

We have learnt a lot from the Authority, and so do we benefit much more.

The duty of  loyalty and sense of belonging prompt me, in these moments , to call on the family of the Authority, men and women employees, to write down together, even if one single line.

We express   letters of sincere loyalty and words of thanks and appreciation to H.E. Dr. Eng. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri, Emirates ID Director General, who brought us together around the sense of sincere fraternity and friendship.

We fail to express and select the words of thanks, especially when they are said to those who magnanimously give without limits.

Praise be to the Almighty Allah,  we pay you our director and teacher rich tributes for your sincere efforts and achievements you have made in the Authority.

We pray to the Almighty Allah that you surge ahead, reward you and make others benefit from you.

To he who supports us with his morals, culture and experiences,

To he who made love, glory and magnanimity a goal we yearn to achieve in the ongoing march of our Authority,

To you who has built and set up the towering edifice of our Authority with diligence and hard work, we say:

May Almighty Allah bless your good offices and light up the path of education accessible and acceptable to you.

We wish you all the best and we commend your tireless efforts and great achievements you have made.

 

Thank God

If you are set on reaching a goal
You should not be satisfied until you reach the top

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Emirates ID Staff,
Greetings,

It is my honor and pleasure to announce to you that our dear authority won the following four awards in Sheikh Khalifa Government Excellence Program:

• Best Federal Authority award (less than 900 employees)
• Excellent federal agency in leadership
• Excellent federal agency in service provision
• Excellent joint working team award (elections team)

I did not know how to begin writing about this, but thanking God was the best way to do it. I am trying hard to find the words that can adequately express my pride, appreciation and gratitude to all of you, but only thoughts are flowing in this moment like drops of rain filled with optimism, hope and happiness.

Being the best federal authority and winning this many excellence awards mean we are on the right track, the track that we drew its features together three years ago. It led us to our current achievements and will lead us, God willing, to achieve our aspirations, more achievements and better results.

Four awards … Victory feels great …

I look back and regain memories of us together, hard at times; working around the clock studiously in order to finish a project we started or accomplish a goal we set or reach the end of a road we drew.

• Awards are the result of hard work
• Excellence is not a grant or souvenir
• Excellence is the result of effort and hard work
• Excellent is the award of distinction and creativity
• Excellence is the first step towards the top and first drop before rain

The title “Best Federal Authority” is a great award for a journey we started together and will continue together. The roadmap for this journey is a crystal pure intellectual and administrative system and a new strategy based on understanding reality, handling it well and addressing its challenges through courage and consistency.

If you are set on reaching a goal
You should not be satisfied until you reach the top

A verse composed by al-Mutanabbi; a verse that summarizes the best meanings of excellence in very few words; a verse that puts us all in direct challenge with post-award duties and responsibilities.

Should we be satisfied with four awards?
Should we stop at these accomplishments?
Should we be happy and smile then count on past achievements?
I am sure that the harder part is coming.
Maintaining success is more difficult that making it.
I am certain that excellence is an infinite journey.
The most beautiful achievements are the ones yet to be made.

My trust in you is ample dear brothers and sisters and I hope you will be the “knights” of the coming achievements as you were deservedly already people of action and stars of excellence.

God bless you all

 

A rare model of modern leadership; this is an accurate description, fair portrayal and logical conclusion of the leadership scene on this land, the UAE land deservedly boasting these days of its achievements and successes.

Our words will not do justice to describe this beloved leadership. Words will not be adequate to describe either the governance we are talking about or the vision of the leader directing us.

The earlier days were brimming with patience and sacrifices, but our Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of our nation and builder of our renaissance, the visionary and leader was able to lead us towards the shore of safety and security.

Sheikh Zayed, May he Rest in Peace, is the epitome of wise leadership and vision of a leader at the same time. He is a “Distinguished Leader”.

He understood this land very well and studied its details. The UAE filled his heart and soul and he wholeheartedly strived for the Emirates, its present and future, throughout his life.

 

Today every citizen feels a sense of achievement and fulfillment, as the UAE sweeps first ranks in each field. The UAE has been ranked the happiest place in the Arab World. Citizens of the UAE are the happiest as a result of the ongoing effort of leaders, government and the people. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, congratulated HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President. The achievement is due to mutual efforts but Mohamed bin Rashid attributes the achievement to the support and follow-up of Khalifa. Everyone worked hard for the UAE. Everyone worked and sacrificed and let’s all remember our government that does not sleep and those who work behind the scenes day and night to achieve results like these at the Arab and international levels.

The UAE ranks first on the happiness scale. This means a lot. It means that the UAE citizen lives happily and satisfied. It means that the UAE citizen is not worried about himself, his home and children, his land and country. He lives in development and progress, observing, contributing and being happy, thus gaining more confidence.

This achievement would not have occurred if it was not for the coordination of efforts from leaders to each individual in the government, and each senior and junior employee. The family also has a major role: Fathers, mothers, parents and society with all its classes.

The UAE attracts today more than two hundred global nationalities and acquires its unique status based on tolerance, moderation and openness and takes huge steps in development, economy and culture and at the same time, through institutional work, achieves its national identity. This is the UAE and its leaders who deserve to be congratulated for their efforts and well-deserved achievements.

No one can deny that our State has made human development its ultimate goal based on a clear vision, faith and persistence. In this context, there were many perspectives on leadership and the skills a leader in any organization should possess.

Although I am among the ones who believe that leadership skills can be learned and acquired and a person may develop his or her intrinsic skills in the right direction so that they can direct a group of people to achieve a certain goal, at the same time, I believe that influential leaders in any organization or department are rare either from a psychological or physical energy aspect. Difference and distinction between human beings is a natural law and the different skills among people are an order used by God to assign roles to people to balance the universe. Each person is created with certain capacities; if everyone became a leader, who will lead them then?

If you look around you to read people’s biographies and tendencies, you will find that true leadership may come to a person without their will or desire. It is not a coincidence but a big part of it was intrinsic. For example, you may find that this same person among his siblings in his small family is the center and is the consultant; his family members seek his advice in their affairs and in hard times and for decision-making; he is the one who takes initiative before being asked to do something; he is the one who is always concerned with others’ affairs; he reaches out to them with assistance without intervention; He is always ready to give without waiting to take.

Look around you and you will find that God each family has one such person whereas the rest of the family members enjoy being leaded by others and are very irritated if they are asked to make crucial decisions. Such persons with intrinsic characteristics are the ones who assume leadership in their organizations or the projects they run and the tasks they handle. They are usually successful in these roles as well.

There is no doubt that management differs from leadership. It is sufficient for a successful manager to carry out instructions accurately and diligently and is fully satisfied to do that. A manager can always be relied on in that. A leader carries a vision; he is risk-taking; he has a sense to see what others cannot see; he may foresee opportunities for success that others cannot foresee; he is also capable of making decisions that require calculated risk that others try to avoid.

Although leaders are human who are correct and make mistakes, but their regret is positive and not negative. Positive regret occurs when an individual makes a decision that might be wrong. Negative regret is regretting not taking a certain decision or leaving behind an opportunity for success without making use of it. There is a huge difference between the two types of regret.

Hence, a leader is the one who has enough courage to bear the responsibility for making crucial decisions that may affect that future of the organization in case they fail and may form an unprecedented transition and advancement if they fail. Many people try to avoid that preferring safety and fearing the future and satisfied with their current state. Calculated risk is an integral part of a leader’s character.

The true leader of any institution is always on the hunt for the challenge to achieve goals that others may find as impossible or even beyond what has ever been imagined, whereas he sees them as possible and achievable. He is not satisfied with only achieving the goal, but he seeks to achieve goals with much distinction.

In my opinion, a leader does not talk much about his previous achievements only, but once he finishes reaching a goal or a milestone, he aspires to achieve more. He lives in an ongoing battle of success, in which he does not assess himself and his achievements in comparison with other surrounding institutions but primarily on a scale of challenging himself.

The true leader is certain that people who work with him, and not for him, have momentums that need to be let out if he can use the keys to their characters well. He is also certain that each task assigned to any of his surrounding individuals is a valuable task, however simple it might be and that individuals regardless of their professional levels, have ideas that should be appreciated and benefitted from.

Hence, a leader listens more than he talks and does not talk except after listening to all points of view without discrimination. He prioritizes the interest of the organization before favoring a particular opinion. He does not take decisions before consulting those around him and his decisions are not necessarily a choice from alternatives placed before him. His decisions might be contrary to suggested alternatives as long as they are supported by logic and reasoning. At the same time, he has the courage to back out of a decision he made that does not carry an interest or will lead to unfavorable results for the organization.

The true leader has the courage to apologize if he makes a mistake. He is human after all. Admitting a mistake is one of the major elements of success. It is the wall of trust that rises day after day between him and his team.

The true leader’s relationship with his employees is not restricted to the work environment with its orders and prohibitions and Dos and Don’ts. He realizes that his employees are human beings who can also be happy and sad; hence, he is keen on sharing their happiness and grief. Emotions are always present in his interactions with others.

The true leader of any organization is approachable and realizes that a genuine part of his duties is the making of qualifies leaders to bear responsibility after him so that the journey of success may continue.

Despite all that, I stress once again that leadership skills can be acquired and learned by gaining experience. These leadership skills are not impossible to acquire and many of us can do it, but only few of us can reach creativity.

 

Dean of Faculty of Information, Mass Communication and Humanities – Ajman University of Science and Technology

Note: The article in published in Al Bayan newspaper

 

 

Brothers and sisters, on my way now to the Cabinet meeting, I feel that much positive energy is running throughout the UAE. It is an energy filled with love, giving and work. I call upon everyone without exception to direct their momentums to build a future carrying welfare and prosperity for us, our children and our families. We ask God to reward us for our endeavors to develop the UAE. These were the words of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum while on his way to the Cabinet meeting yesterday through his Twitter account. These were inspiring words for the sons and daughters of this nation who follow the Prime Minister, his high spirits, messages and calls. Through these words, I was certain about the positive results that the meeting will yield. Through this message, I realized the amount of work and efforts exerted by the Cabinet to serve the nation and its people, the national priorities.

We all have to realize the responsibility upon our shoulders to maintain this nation, enhance its abilities, further its accomplishments and continue the process of overall development adopted by the state in a way that impressed the entire world. We should continue achieving successes and adding new scenes of creativity and innovation. This is the goal that our leaders constantly seek to achieve. No one should think that the accomplishments of our country and achievements of the government and leadership are their concern only. No one should think that the process of building a developed nation is the responsibility of the leaders and government only; the citizen is directly concerned with the reputation, achievements and strong global standing of the UAE which we are very proud of among nations and peoples worldwide. Our responsibility is to contribute with our strength, determination and perseverance in the challenge undertaken by our state. With the strength of the sons and daughters of the nation, developmental building takes place and the wheel of overall development on which the state relies since the formation of the union shall keep rotating. The UAE was and still is a model and example that is followed in different arenas. It is a valuable harvest that we should maintain and ameliorate by hard and honest work. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s message calling for directing our energies to build a future carrying welfare for us, our children and families to develop the UAE should be our guide towards prosperity, work, success and progress, which we aim to achieve. Through work, devotion and commitment, the boundless ambitions of the UAE can be achieved. The UAE always accepted challenges calling for building and accomplishment to achieve glory for this nation and its people. This love was instilled in each of us by our leaders who encourage us to be in the leading position and always in pursue of more achievements, successes and pride for our cherished UAE. If these were the ambitions of the Cabinet and its leaders, there is no doubt that they are correctly leading our nation towards glory and progress.

It was at the beginning of the seventies of the past century that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum toured the city and examined the conditions of people by land and air as we saw in a footage broadcasted yesterday by the Media Office through a channel for Sheikh Mohammed on YouTube showing HH flying a helicopter on a tour over Dubai.

At the time, he was neither a ruler nor a crown prince. He was the Minister of Defense, but he sought to know by himself the needs of people, and thus he approached them and still does. Rising in positions did not change him, but his actions sprang from his own beliefs rather than pretentious actsto seek fame

I meant to start my article by mentioning the time period when HH was examining the conditions of citizens in a desert area that looked remote. At that time, the human rights organizations knew nothing about this area or this part of the world. There were no social network sites; there was no Twitter; there was no Facebook. There were only rulers who loved their people and people who were loyal to their land and rulers.

The field trips and the open door policy are the main elements. The interaction of the ruler with his people was what that generation experienced. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has pursued the policy of his father and ancestors in communicating with his people, understanding their needs, reaching out to them, visiting their houses to fulfill their needs, giving them rides in his plane to their remote areas in the seventies and he still drives them in his car. In that footage, we saw him talking with an old man and drinking coffee. Some years ago, we saw him with that old man sitting together on a bare floor. He asked that man about what he needed 40 years ago and he built a new house for him and furnished it some years ago. This is only one example but HH’s acts of benevolence are countless. He did not do that for fame or glory, but because he is a ruler who performs his responsibilities and the duties entailed by his position. He gives people their rights as granted by the State.

Neither he nor Sheikh Zayedwerefortunetellers. They had insight. Zayed did not listen to what experts had to say when they warned him about desert reclamation. They were later amazed at the different types of plants and trees that grew throughout Abu Dhabi. Mohammed bin Rashid was inspecting muddy and empty areas by air but he was aware that this land will one day carry huge projects transforming Dubai from a small unknown city into a developed city competing with and exceling over major cities worldwide.

Our rulers are humans like us. This is their main feature that many are missing. They are humans who walk among us, examine people’s conditions, sit with citizens, eat their food, celebrate with them and share their grief. They are also aware that there are changes and gaps which they continuously seek to adapt to and fill.