Category: Uncategorized

At times and under certain circumstances experienced by communities as well as the groups and individuals of the society, it becomes inevitable and even necessary to review a lot of firmly established convictions and values ​​that are common among people  and have become indisputable axioms. As individuals, each one of us is part of the general system of the society, and the disruption of this part has inevitably a negative impact on the total system (resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not
well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it). The public order fever means entering into a state of instability such as sedition or chaos, for example. This is against the purposes of Shariah, logic and the alphabets of sociology and politics, considering that the top task of the society lies in taking care of people’s interests and meeting their requirements in the best way in an atmosphere of safety and peace. Based on this, zero tolerance should be shown towards anything that could conflict with this end. With this in mind, societies need to review their value, faith and moral systems from time to time in order for people and the organizations of the society not to forget!

We believe in homeland as a great faith-based value which a number of considerations such as loyalty, patriotism, sacrifice and homeland defense rest upon in such a manner that dying for one’s homeland falls under martyrdom that entitles one to enter paradise. We also believe in homeland as a material, utilitarian value, considering that a homeland is an entity meant to meet our needs and fulfill our requirements. Emotionally, we believe in our homeland because our early life and childhood are associated with it and because, by virtue of the ongoing education at home and school as well as the religious and national education classes, songs, morning assembly national anthem and many other things, this feeling grows in us as a homeland with all its meanings and manifestations until it rests as an undisputed eternal truth and becomes as sacred as religion and mother. Our mothers kept telling us this phrase: Your country is like your mothers. Do mothers nowadays say this phrase to their children or children nowadays are left to their friends and to the idea that a homeland is a job that generates a large salary and provides excellent services?

Sometimes, things get mixed in some people as they believe that it is legitimate to destroy the house (homeland) on all the inhabitants if  one day they found no place for them, realized that water and electricity were cut off, sought power, considered themselves and those with them to be the whole world and the most important component in it, or got ideas mixed together up to the point that it became possible for them to burn their country under illogical excuses and pretexts. Here, a review of the principle of loyalty to the homeland will be required and necessary, not for a group of people but for the whole society. Hence, examining the idea of ​​loyalty will become inevitable, and so will the promotion of this idea as a value and faith, and will become the task of all the organizations of the society, specifically the educational, religious and media organizations.

Let us ask ourselves if anarchy is the alternative? Who is impressed by the poor conditions seen nowadays in the countries in which revolutions erupted? Who is interested in changing stability and prosperity into chaos and destruction? Who is interested in exchanging security by fear, grace and hunger? Who and who? The answers are not in favor of those who undertake chaotic change projects; homeland is for all and no one has the right to confiscate it and envisage the way it should be changed as one likes. Therefore, the concept of homeland should be promoted as a supreme value rather than commercial, folkloric carnivals that end on the same day. This is what we all should pay attention to at this stage.

The UAE is setting a unique example of creative engagement between the country’s leadership and its people, according to Akhbar Al Saah publication. The model, which was laid down by the Founder of the UAE, the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is being pursued with determination under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and fellow brothers Their Highnesses, Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates, the publication said.

Under the title “Creative Interaction between Leadership and the People”, the publication added: “The large number of citizens who turned up to offer Eid greetings to their leaders across the country shows their love and appreciation for their leaders. It is the result of the open-door policy that drives the country, creates popular interest and reinforces allegiance and loyalty to our leaders on various occasions.”

The publication issued by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research clarified that UAE citizens are the top priority for the country’s wise leadership and it leaves no stone unturned in raising their standard of living and empowering them, noting that a quick look at the recent actions and initiatives launched by them suggest that all efforts are made to serve the citizens in the present and safeguard their interests in the future. “The message is significantly evident and creates the bonds of loyalty, dedication and faithfulness between the leaders and the people. It is this bond that makes the UAE an oasis of political and social stability based on decades-long traditions and values,” the publication said.

The publication affirmed that: “The UAE has consistently received high ranks from international organizations in their reports on satisfaction, happiness and prosperity. United Nations World Happiness Report for 2012 ranked the UAE first in the Arab world and 17th globally in terms of state of happiness among people. The UN Development Program’s Human Development Report for 2011 has been another example. In this report, the UAE was ranked top in the Arab world. These achievements have been the result of a comprehensive and farsighted vision pursued by our wise leaders. They have come as a result of sustained efforts that have created a pioneering and successful UAE model of development – that are now being targeted by many nations in the region and across the world.”

At the end of its editorial, Akhbar Al Saah said: “The UAE government revolves around engagement with citizens, positive interaction with their demands and aspirations, keenness to respond to these demands and aspirations and the creation of a comprehensive model of development that takes into account not only the present but also the future. The purpose is to secure development and maintain welfare for generations to come. Loyalty to our wise leaders is, hence, a deeply rooted value in the UAE – one that has been on display on various occasions.”

Eid, is not and should not be one day. Eid can extend in our hearts and souls for a long time. We can preserve its profound meaning for as long as possible.

Eid is an occasion for comfort, peace and wisdom. It is a return to the soul and forming close relationship with the other, with all others. In Eid, there is no hostility, anger or dispute. It is an occasion for love, tolerance and forgiveness.

How do we live through Eid and days beyond?

As we prepare to welcome this holy occasion, we should prepare as if every day is Eid. Our religion and heritage brim with values including the eternal light that fills our hearts with patience combined with determination, will and work. Our values form a consolidated system where each value completes the other. We cannot pick and choose but rather make use of this rich and beneficial heritage in its entirety. This fragmentation and breakdown is neither desired nor required. Fragmentation does not serve the common purpose and our system of values is one where we cannot pick and choose or exclude values.

The second, third or even fourth days of Eid are not the end. Eid is an idea before being an occasion framed into one single day. It is true that its idea is nourished this day more intensively but it can be broadened and generalized to include more places, times and cases.

Inside our families and societies, we are in dire need for a renewed Eid that does not end with sunset at the end of the day. We need Eid that is as warm and cozy even in winter, Eid, where we feel importance, privacy and idiosyncrasy under its umbrella.

Eid that is renewed year after year carrying promises, rivers and springs reaching more satisfaction regardless of circumstances. We should have the ability to renew this Eid spirit with every morning.

 

The announced slogan is distinguished government performance and initiatives necessary to achieve better levels reaching an excellent corporate future. Assessment in the announced slogan is the global standard. It suffices that we are a country that wants to be among the best five governments in the world which is possible because we have what it needs: geographic location, historical importance, privileges of the federation, human resources, structural development, knowledge economy and infrastructure and technical structure. We also have will and ambition. How much of the government performance slogan was achieved and how much will be achieved? The message we got out of establishing then cancelling a ministry for the public sector development is that in each ministry, there is an internal mechanism to achieve that, i.e. a mini government development ministry.

It is expected and natural then for the level of development to vary according to the work of institutions. Sometimes the comparison is unfair due to different roles, number of employees, difficulty or ease of relationship networks inside each institution and between it and its counterparts. Some variation can be justified practically and some other may be due to negligence of the institution and its employees. This calls for continuous follow up to pinpoint the weaknesses and strengths and progress or negligence. It is however relative; one institution may be successful in one filed and fails or is not as successful in another field.

It is necessary that we stop repeating the government development slogan without being aware of its true meaning. Actions speak louder than words. Action in this case is the development made in a calculated and regular manner day after day, year after year through various programs and projects.

 

should have been under the spotlight in all its aspects as it carries true meaning of good and search to deliver it through credible and objective means. Charity work aims to bring happiness to those who need it unhindered by any preconceptions, conflicting opinions, lack of experience or influence of others. This beautiful interposition must be used as an approach to charity work by humanitarian foundations in the UAE, which already endeavor to do that. Charity work is also a noble value in our life that we must instill in our children so that the human being becomes the ultimate criterion of good away from all racial and religious complications and divides. Humanitarian work should be purely from the hearts of donors to the hearts of recipients. His Highness told an interesting story from his experience in his early life which he derived from his father, founder of the UAE renaissance Sheikh Zayed. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed says: “In the late 1980s, I visited an African country and after my return, my father asked me about the state, social condition and conditions of living in this country in detail. He asked: What did you do for them? And I answered: I did not do anything because they belong to a different religion. My father held my hand tightly and looked me in the eyes for a few seconds and said: God who created you created them as well, so go and dig a well for them. Now, there are 29 wells in this place as well as hospitals, medical centers and wells in 27 other villages. I know Bill Gates as a close friend but what I recently knew about him is that, even though he is a non-Muslim, he gave out two billion dollars to end poliomyelitis in three Muslim countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Northern Nigeria which proves that charitable and humanitarian work surpasses races, beliefs and nationalities”.

Partnership in doing pure good, whether among individuals or institutions, can save the world and change it to a better place by encouraging scientific research and lab experiments to save humans from diseases and natural disasters or work on the health of humans and future challenges for the good of all humanity. The goal of partnership of charity work is to extend a hand to end pain of every human everywhere where poverty can bring along ignorance, disease, murder, death, self-destruction and elimination of others.

 

It is natural that millions of mobile phone subscribers face tremendous pressure in sale centers in malls and business centers of Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) after everyone suddenly started registering their phone numbers after three months of indifference to “My Number, My Identity” campaign. The campaign was launched by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and began to register numbers on 17 July 2012. The deadline was supposed to be tomorrow but Etisalat did not cut service from those who missed the deadline until further notice.

Those who missed the deadline of updating their personal information and biometric data in the database of telecommunication service providers in the UAE and ensuring that the SIM card they are using is registered in their name, a procedure that should take no more than few minutes and does not require the ID card were occupied with spreading rumors and running counter campaigns to scare people off.

They scared people by claiming that their calls and secrets will fall in the hands of the security authorities and that they will lose their freedom among other ungrounded claims. They forgot that the campaign mainly focuses on protecting the privacy of people after studies showed that some people exploit numbers that are not in their names and their owners end up being involved in civil and criminal cases.

We hoped that the campaign leads to more awareness for people and not negligence and indifference towards an important issue that mainly affects them. It is noted however that nationals and expatriates alike do not pay much heed to and do not comply with official decisions that are issued out of public interest and welfare. Emirates ID is a case to note. Many people do not start thinking about such decisions except when late fees are imposed.

Although registering mobile numbers is for free and is done quickly and easily in addition to the easy procedure of transferring the ownership of the SIM card from the actual owner of the number to its user, people still respond to decisions only if late fees and charges are imposed. Emirates ID had to go through a tedious scenario of extending deadlines and giving one chance after another so that people can finally register last minute and cause pressure, confusion and delay. 

We hope that in such cases, there will be no exceptions and deadline extensions, but rather a strict application of any official decision within the set deadline.

 

Emirates ID employees congratulated Dr. Eng. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri, Emirates ID Director General, for the accomplishment made by the authority under his distinguished direction. They commend his dedication for the success of its 2010-2013 Strategic Plan which resulted in registering the majority of the UAE population in the ID card over the last two years.

In this framework, Dr. Al Khouri thanked Emirates ID employees for their sincere congratulations.

Below is the speech of His Excellence the Director General addressed to Emirates ID employees:

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Praise be to Allah and blessing and peace be upon our prophet Mohammed, his family and his companions.

Brothers and sisters, Emirates ID employees

Greetings,

I thank Allah first and I thank Him again for bestowing us with the governance of Zayed’s sons

Leadership shall always remain the supporter and motivator for our distinction at Emirates ID

Leadership exerting efforts persistently to serve the UAE people

Leadership working silently without waiting for a word of thanks

Leadership that we will never be able to thank adequately however our work and sacrifices

Leadership that only expects from us to cooperate and participate in building the UAE

We ask Allah to bless our leaders, our role models

I thank you all. If it weren’t for your work and efforts over the past years, Emirates ID wouldn’t have made these accomplishments and achieved its goals

Brothers and sisters, I am urging you to insist on distinction and remember that actions speak louder than words

The responsibility upon all of us is huge. We must understand that we are not merely an institution that prints ID cards but we have to realize that we work in an institution that lays the foundations of security and economy in the UAE. We are working together to build a more secure society and support a stronger economy that speaks the language of the future. We endeavor to be a complimentary part in achieving the hopes of our leaders in making the UAE one of the best countries in the world

Brothers and sisters,

I have high confidence in you to be distinguished in serving our customers and to treat our customers like guests in our own house regardless of their age, shape and nationalities and to work hard to support each other regardless of our occupational positions or geographical locations

We should try and retry and create and innovate methods one after another to draw smiles on the faces of our customers

To be brief, I would like to thank you all again. These are the results you achieved and this is your Emirates ID. I am confident that no one can do the job better than you

May Allah bless you all

The decree in a federal law issued recently by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President to establish the National E-Security Authority reflects the focus of the UAE on developing e-security. The authority aims to regulate the protection of the communications networks and information system in the UAE and to raise the efficiency of means of keeping and exchanging information at all entities either through information systems or any other electronic means.

Establishing the National E-Security Authority reflects the thorough awareness of the UAE of the importance of achieving and upgrading e-security. The list of duties that this authority will carry out will no doubt constitute a quality transition in this field by setting standards to provide e-security in the UAE and supervising their implementation or formulating a national plan to face any risks, threats or attacks on online security in coordination with certain entities. The authority will also ensure the effective operation of the communications networks protection systems and information systems at public and private entities operating in the UAE. Moreover, the authority will monitor the compliance of certain entities with implementing the e-security requirements issued by the authority and follow up on their application.

The existence of a national authority specialized in e-security of all aspects       is very important not only to ensure coordination of efforts among the concern entities to maintain the infrastructure and digital and information structure of the UAE but also to effectively address the phenomenon of online crimes that have recently become prevalent by computer pirates defrauding banks and stealing pin codes of clients’ accounts. The authority will also address the growing online sabotage and spying on institutions and banks by hackers. These crimes represent a grave challenge throughout the entire world and need to be countered effectively. The new authority will focus on combating computer, Internet and IT crimes of all types.

In addition, the establishment of this authority comes in accord with the tendency of the UAE to rely on e-transactions in the various ministries and institutions to keep pace with advancements worldwide which focus on how to make use of modern technology and improve digital culture which has become closely related to the knowledge society. This is one of the top tasks of the National E-Security Authority.

The UAE has achieved a great leap in the development of e-security systems thanks to the integrated strategy adopted in this regard relying on the latest technologies of e-applications and using the latest mechanisms and solutions of network security in its integrated bases. The UAE also seeks to improve the ability of society members to use e-services through the E-Citizen Program aiming to eliminate information illiteracy for all members of society.

The establishment of the National E-Security Authority will reinforce the efforts of the UAE and its position in the field of e-security protection. It is noteworthy that the UAE ranked first regionally and fourth internationally in the field of e-security according to the 2012 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) issued last July. The UAE bounced back than developed countries which reflects the effectiveness of the UAE’s efforts in the e-security field.

When His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, May Allah Protect Him, said: “Whoever doesn’t have an identity does not exist in the present and does not have a place in the future,” his words were shaping what is clearly known as the philosophy of national identity. Later, it became the cornerstone for people’s, corporate and government action in order to enhance this concept and integrate it in the society, among young people in particular and all citizens in general even residents living in the UAE.

As the words of His Highness indicate, this identity is not only relative belonging but rather realistic and inevitable existence that organizes the movement of the present and plans for the future leaving a historical fingerprint that lasts after time lapses and place changes.

In this regard, we can delve into the concept of identity as seen by the UAE and decided by the strategy of its leadership. We need to exceed the initial definition of identity which does not cross the limits of belonging within the geographical or historical boundaries. It exceeds all that to make it a belonging to the future shaping the citizen belonging to this system into a cultural model following established prospects in which the identity holder resides.

This system of prospects sets the degree of maturity, loyalty and giving through intertwined standards flowing foremost from an overwhelming feeling of the citizen of his love and loyalty for his nation, not giving it up if for the entire world. The citizen considers his nation an inseparable part of him and cannot compromise his loyalty or belonging to it.

The basics of this commitment to the essence of national identity all pour into compliance with established values and virtues without which the citizen would fall into cultural intertwining that broke boundaries between human beings and bridged gaps turning the world into a small village where interests conflict and materialism has the upper hand at the expense of values.

It has to be stressed that this identity cannot be self-sustainable but must be always nourished by seeking knowledge, which is a main pillar of our culture and civilization. It is even the only weapon to penetrate the future as stated in the speech of His Highness, UAE President.

When national identity becomes an integrated feeling in people’s conscience, it automatically becomes the key to work towards serving the nation and enhancing cooperation, voluntarism and community work away from the trap of selfishness and self-centered thinking which pays no heed to social collaboration and support in building the renaissance and does not see their importance in advancing it. Boasting national identity awakens human conscience making it feel unique and important.

In this regard, endeavors seeking and calling for the national identity rose as the highest shared responsibilities that we must cooperate to establish. It is the responsibility of everyone either individuals or corporations. It also calls upon all of us to exert more efforts to maintain it as a national heritage to future generations.

Based on the above, the Ministry of Education approved the teaching of concept of identity in school curricula and educational activities in the current academic year. In this context, the importance enjoyed by the concept of identity is reinforced as it should contribute in raising the level of awareness of the importance of the population register and ID card project as one of the most remarkable strategic projects of the UAE adopted by its wise leaders. There is no doubt that it directly pours into supporting and achieving the mission and vision of national identity as they aim to contribute to achieving overall development in the UAE. Focusing on introducing this idea to students in early academic grades will have a tremendous impact on them in the future.

Finally, the ID card project must be lauded. The ID card contains high level security features according to the best global standards for security and safety in the field of digital technology and information security. Emirates Identity Authority endeavors, through this project, to establish a secure and safe population database of all inhabitants in the UAE. These endeavors to care for everyone and protect their rights and guarantee their safety and facilitate their life details embody the strategic principles calling for maintaining the national identity.

The UAE under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may Allah protect him, attaches great importance to developing government work as part of its keenness on upgrading the services provided to nationals in all fields. In this context, the “First Government Summit”, scheduled to be held in the UAE in February 2013 with the participation of leaders from both the federal and local sectors and representatives from a range of international organizations and bodies as well as international experts, will come with a distinctive initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may Allah save him, which will have a positive effect on developing government work due to the fact that it will allow experiences to be exchanged and the best practices to be discussed together with the modern experiences and tendencies of government work and the means of creativity and innovation in developing government services in all sectors.

HH Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of organizing this summit to be an ideal platform for exchanging expertise and polishing skills in order to achieve excellent government services under the UAE strategic role and prominent status in all fields. This clearly reflects the philosophy of development adopted by the UAE to develop government work and aimed at upgrading the services provided to individuals of the society as embodied in the many initiatives and programs that were launched over the past few days and served this objectives including “Sheikh Khalifa Government Excellence Program”, which seeks to enable the government sector in the UAE to excel in its systems, performance, services and results through applying a world-class excellence model and continuing to launch a diverse array of development initiatives aimed at enhancing the culture of creativity, loyalty and excellence among all government sector employees. Another example is the Emirates Award for Distinguished Government Performance, which effectively contributes to empowering the federal government employees and streamlining their role to enable them to shoulder the different responsibilities of government work, not to mention its importance in consolidating the culture of excellence and creativity in the minds of employees to enable them to do their best to serve their country and achieve the hopes and aspirations of the UAE people and leadership. Add to this, the UAE pays considerable attention to developing human resources and upgrading the aptitudes of the employees working in government authorities and organizations with the aim of reinforcing the infrastructure of the entire federal body and supporting its readiness to take more improvement initiatives and speed up the march towards excellence and taking the lead based on the belief that the human element is the mainstay for developing government work.

The government’s strategy for the years (2011-2013) included some strategic objectives that set the general framework of government work, the most outstanding of which lie in enhancing actual co-ordination and integration between the federal government and local government in the UAE on one hand and the federal entities themselves on the other. Other objectives include the provision of excellent government services; investment in building national human capabilities and energies and preparing and developing young leaders; efficient management of government resources; adoption of the culture of excellence and concentration on the methodologies of strategic planning and continuous development of performance; and finally consolidation of the transparency concept and governance systems in the federal entities. These objectives constitute the practical bases of the UAE Vision 2021, which is aimed at upgrading the UAE position and rendering it one of the best countries of the world at all levels.