Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Sunday, July 12th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior affirmed that the Ministry of Interior’s Ramadan Councils have become an important venue to brainstorm ideas and establish the Ministry’s development policies aimed at fulfilling the aspirations of the UAE’s citizens and residents. This year’s councils discussed a wide variety of topics, regarding the most pressing issues on the local scene, led by the significant efforts exerted by participants, hosts, media figures, and audience.
His Highness added that the ministry is currently considering the implementation of the purposeful recommendations issued by this year’s councils, in a bid to support the objectives and general strategy of the Federal Government, towards becoming one of the leading governments in the world.
These remarks were made by His Highness Sheikh Saif in his address during the tribute ceremony held on Sunday evening to honor the different hosts, media figures who took part in the fourth edition of the MoI’s Ramadan Councils. The ceremony was held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Abu Dhabi, and was organized by the Law Respect Culture Bureau at the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
His Highness Sheikh Saif praised the significant and growing turnout of both male and female citizens at the Ramadan Councils year after year, as well as their keenness to promote cooperation and communication with the Ministry of Interior in its quest to overcome the challenges and pressing social issues. He also commended participants’ keenness to submit purposeful suggestions to enhance the quality of services and reinforce stability and security of society, as efficient members to contribute to the growth and development process witnessed by the UAE, under the wise guidance of an exceptional leadership.
The ceremony was attended by HE Ahmed Jumaa Al Zaabi, Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs; HE Lt. General Dhahi KhalfanTamim, Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Police and General Security; Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Naturalization, Residency and Ports Affairs; Major General Mohammed bin Al Awadhi Al Menhali, Assistant Undersecretary of Resources and Support Services; Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Inspector General of the Ministry of Interior; alongside police commanders-in-chief, general directors and a number of senior officers at the MoI.
The ceremony began with the National Anthem followed by recitations from the Holy Qur’an. His Highness and the audience watched a documentary film that showcased key highlights of the various Ramadan Councils, which were held nationwide this year, as well as the different topics, discussions and recommendations. During the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Saif invited the sons of Martyr Tariq Al Shehhi to assist him in honoring the hosts and media figures who moderated the Ramadan councils in their fourth edition, in recognition of their efforts. His Highness received a commemorative gift from Summaya Al Suwaidi, Director of Ras Al Khaimah Educational Zone, in appreciation for His Highness’s patronage of the Exceptional Leader Forum.
His Highness distributed certificates of thanks and appreciation to the hosts of those councils, as well as media figures who moderated them. This reflects His Highness’s firm belief in the valuable role played by well-informed community members and purposeful media, who constitute the key pillars that support security and stability in the UAE.
During the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Saif awarded the participants at the MoI’s Ramadan Council the Medal of Community Service. This kind and thoughtful gesture comes in recognition of the patriotic and constructive role played by the citizens who hosted those councils, as well as the elite media and cultural figures who led the debates. This accolade also recognizes the open discussions of the various societal topics, and the resulting proposals and recommendations designed to reinforce comprehensive development.
60 Recommendations
Colonel Dr. Salah Obeid Al Ghoul, Director of the Law Respect Culture Bureau, the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said: “We meet again this year to enrich our Ramadan Councils with a new mentality and brainstorm ideas to bring out innovation that would pave the way into the bright future envisioned by our wise leadership for the benefit of its people, and shine like the Ramadan lanterns that illuminate the streets of our beloved country.”
Colonel Dr. Al Ghoul also noted that the Ramadan Councils represent a cultural and social legacy passed down by our fathers and forefathers. They manifest the most important forms of social cohesion and solidarity, which characterize the UAE community. They deepen the foundations of communication between members of the community, and have become an integrated part of the Holy month spirituality.
Adding further, he said: “Thanks to the efforts of all those who contributed to the success of this innovative initiative, we held 46 Councils across the seven Emirates throughout 15 days. The councils were attended by hundreds of attendees, who enriched the discussions; and achieved thousands of followers via the different social media and mass media outlets.” He also noted that up to 60 recommendations were issued and have been referred to the competent authorities at the MoI for evaluation.
Police and Community
Commenting on his experience in moderating MoI Ramadan Councils, Brigadier Dr. Ali Singel said that the Councils have played an essential role in boosting communication between services providers and recipients. These Councils have been instrumental in transferring information about the Ministry of Interior’s services with high levels of transparency. The councils also contributed to change the stereotypical image of the police by projecting an image of police officers supporting citizens, catering to their hopes and aspirations and solving community issues. Hence, the MoI Ramadan Councils serve as a channel of communication with community members.
Media figure Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi described the MoI Ramadan Councils as a connection between the Ministry and society; as well as a model of community partnership to achieve a cohesive society that is united against crime. He also praised the efforts exerted by the Law Respect Culture Bureau in supervising the Councils in order to promote law culture and awareness among all segments of society.
Media figure Abdul Raheem Al Bateeh noted that the MoI Ramadan Councils have become a valuable and distinguished practice with purposeful content and meaningful topics. The topics of this year’s Councils have highlighted the services provided by the MoI to all sectors. He also stressed the commitment of the Law Respect Culture Bureau and Security Media Department to provide support to participating media figures that contributed to enrich the sessions of the Councils.
Media figure Sami Al Riyami said: “The MoI’s Ramadan Councils initiative clearly reflects the public involvement in attaining social resolutions. The debates and social interaction among participants in tackling the different national issues that fall under the jurisdiction of the MoI are analyzed by specialized committees; the recommendations attained are then referred to leaders at the MoI, who, in turn, issue decisions that benefit all community members.” He also noted that the Councils play a purposeful cultural role in society.
Dr. Aisha Al Busmait expressed her thanks and appreciation for the distinguished initiative sponsored by H.H Sheikh Saif. She also praised the efforts exerted by the Law Respect Culture Bureau and all of the entities that contributed to the success of the Ramadan Councils. Additionally, she noted that the Ramadan Councils represent a leading national initiative, designed to acquaint the public with the MoI’s services, and is the perfect opportunity to collect community members’ opinions and feedback related to services’ development.
Adding further, she said: “Based on the customers’ personal experience, the MoI provides a multitude of services that are of interest to society. The ministry avails of these councils that are organized nationwide and professionally moderated, in order to shed the light on the wide variety of services it provides to community members. She also talked about her experience in moderating the traffic-related council, which was attended by a number of female experts from different disciplines. She also stressed the need to acquaint the public with the services and latest developments at the ministry, in order to reinforce social responsibility and acquaint community members with the recommendations that have been implemented.
A Journey of Success
Media figure Mohammad Al Hammadi said that the MoI’s Ramadan Councils provide a valuable channel of communication between the different departments of the Ministry and all segments of society. He praised the significant topics that were tackled during these councils, and the recommendations that have been attained, all of which complement the continuous journey of success and initiatives that have been widely acclaimed by all.
He added: “This is my first participation in the Ramadan Councils. I have moderated one of the sessions, which produced a number of recommendations and initiatives that were submitted directly by the audience and participants. These recommendations and initiatives were related to employment of people with special needs, and the proper way to upgrade the services provided to them.”
For his part, media figure Mohammad Majed Al Suwaidi noted that the success of the Ramadan councils for the fourth successive year have been driven by the constructive results they have attained. . He said that these councils did not convene at a special venue; they were organized in citizens’ homes to communicate with them, collect their opinions, and promote their legal culture; and they achieved the desired objective.
The MoI’s Initiatives
Media figure Rashed Al Nuaimi stressed that the MoI’s initiatives are innovative and ongoing for the service of society. They aim to achieve the coveted goals and are not limited to a specific occasion. He noted that these initiatives include the awareness councils launched by the Ministry represented by the Law Respect Culture Bureau, in cooperation with the Security Media Department. These initiatives aim to discuss a variety of social issues of national, service, and police specificity. He said that they contributed in pooling community support for the efforts made by the Ministry at different levels.
Adding further, he said: “The fourth edition of the MoI’s councils held during the Holy Month of Ramadan discussed a number of security and community-based issues, and matters related to the services provided in a sophisticated and distinguished manner that befits the spirituality of the holy month.”
Al Nuaimi continued: “Community members enjoy a high level of awareness and knowledge about what is happening in today’s world. Hence, participation in the councils to discuss topics related to stability and security of the community will ensure optimal implementation of the MoI’s strategies and plans. Such participation would also boost the community’s response and support to the different issues under discussion, which tackle this year the MoI’s services across its five different sectors: police stations and investigations; civil defense and public safety; naturalization, residency and foreigners’ affairs; traffic and licensing; and community protection and crime prevention.
Media figure Fadila Al Muaini said that the MoI’s Ramadan Councils are important community initiatives launched by the ministry four years ago, which succeeded in creating a wide public base of Emirati families and achieved significant response and interaction with the different topics of discussion. She noted that the councils’ organizers should choose topics related to daily life issues and delve deeper into societal issues. She stressed the need to involve the youth by organizing youth councils, which provide young people with the opportunity to speak out, discuss their problems and propose appropriate solutions.
Adding further, she said: “Following the wide reach achieved by the councils, and the significant response from citizens to host, participate and ensure the success of such councils, it is crucially important from now on to delve into deeper and pressing social issues in order to avoid repetition.”
For her part, media personality Nahed Mubarak Al Naqbi hailed the MoI Ramadan councils. She said: “Organizing the Ramadan councils in Emirati citizens’ homes have added a special meaning to the spirituality of Ramadan gatherings.” She noted that the councils reflect social solidarity and cohesion between the different components of the UAE society; and have allowed hosts, media personalities and participants to invest positively in such gatherings to garner participation and interaction with the important topics and issues under discussion. She also noted that the councils have left a distinguished mark on each member of society, thanks to the elite of influential speakers and moderators from across the UAE. “This stems from the firm belief in the need to highlight the role of the MoI as a governmental and national entity in charge of promoting values and principles, commensurate with its objectives to reinforce awareness, legal education and law respect; instill the concept of patriotism and strengthen national identity; and exchange opinions amongst different categories; in order to upgrade the level of services, develop performance, and promote future initiatives,” she said.
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About the Councils:
The Ramadan Councils, organized by the MoI across the UAE, were launched in 2012. At the time, they were merely in the form of a Ramadan Tent set up across the Emirates and attended by people wishing to participate in the discussions about topics suggested by the MoI. They were mainly of legal nature and strived to enhance people’s law culture, and to acquaint them with legal issues that directly affect their daily life.
In 2013, the Ramadan Councils changed their work methodology and ways to raise issues. Lt. General H.H Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior gave his instructions to host the Councils in citizens' homes to add warmth and amity to the discussed topics and to create a feeling of ease among citizens, to let them know that government institutions are endeavoring to serve them wherever they are, even within their homes. The topics went on to cover, in addition to legal issues, various sports, cultural, and educational topics. Female Councils, People with Special Needs Councils, and Juveniles Care Centers' Councils were also established.
During 2014, and with a view to expand the work scope and to develop the vision of the Ramadan Councils, the MoI chose the UAE Vision 2021 as the theme for this year’s Ramadan Councils under the slogan ‘2021… a Leadership Vision and Society Interaction’. The councils tackled key elements and topics of the vision as an integrated approach for the future envisioned by the UAE leadership to outline the Emirati character, including individuals, institutions, or the country.
In 2015, the Ministry of Interior provided members of the public with the opportunity to brainstorm ideas and discuss the wide array of services it provides; as well as to tackle the key challenges it faces in fulfilling its vision and objectives. This approach was designed to collect their feedback with respect the ministry’s performance as they aspire towards better service and a higher level of performance. The MoI’s councils discussed the services provided by the ministry in five sectors: Police and Investigation Centers; Civil Defense and Public Safety; Naturalization, Residency, and Foreign Affairs; Traffic and Licensing; and Society Protection and Crime Prevention., as well as the challenges faced by the MoI in carrying out its duties and in achieving its mission in an optimal manner, whether the challenges were related to the nature of the departments’ duties or to the response and cooperation of the public in the quest to fulfill the objectives more efficiently.
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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
Contacts
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com
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