Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, July 22nd 2014 [ME NewsWire]Lt. General H.H Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, underscored the important role played by the traditional people’s councils in the United Arab Emirates, in strengthening national cohesion and encouraging positive ideas and thoughts that support the development and construction process in the country, under the guidance of a wise and exceptional leadership in all fields.
These remarks were made by His Highness in his address during the tribute ceremony held on Tuesday evening to honor the different hosts and media figures who took part in the third edition of the Ministry of Interior’s Ramadan councils. The ceremony, which was organized by the Law Respect Culture Bureau, the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, took place at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Abu Dhabi.
His Highness Sheikh Saif said: “The significant and growing popular turnout witnessed by the Ramadan councils year after year, is the result of cooperation between the various sectors of society. They are also a preventive line of defense to curtail the challenges and alien social phenomena yielded by the changes and developments of the contemporary world; in addition to their valuable role in promoting the purposeful national and cultural values, in a bid to maintain stability and security of society, and achieve further welfare and satisfaction for community members.”
His Highness Sheikh Saif explained that convening such community meetings is not a new trend in the Emirati culture; they are a deep-rooted practice undertaken by the UAE people and its leadership throughout the year. “However, such councils gain momentum during the auspicious month of Ramadan, as they embody the spirituality and traditional heritage of such societal activities. They also personify community members’ commitment to maintain their national interests, take part in the decision-making process for the benefit of their well-being, and to achieve their future aspirations,” he added.
Lt. General H.H Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan praised the efforts exerted by the hosts, moderators and audience who contributed efforts to ensure the success of the councils that were held at the countrywide level. He reiterated the importance of the discussions on the issues raised and the proposals submitted at the Ramadan councils. He continued: “Up to 100 proposals were received at this edition of the Ramadan councils and will be considered, in a bid to leverage them in the community outreach policy-making process; to serve the MoI’s services’ trends; and to achieve the Federal Government’s objectives and strategies.”
The ceremony was attended by Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Interior; Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior for Resources and Support Services; Major General Khamis Matar Al Muzainah, Commander General of the Dubai Police; Major General Humaid Al Hadidi, Commander in Chief of Sharjah Police; and Major General Abdul Aziz Maktoum Al Shareefi, Director General of Protective Security in the Ministry of Interior. Also attending were Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Director General of Central Operations at Abu Dhabi Police; along with Directors-General, hosts of the councils, representatives of government agencies participating in the Ramadan councils, and a number of officers and guests.
The ceremony began with recitations from the Holy Quran. Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Salah Obeid Al Ghoul, Director of Law Respect Culture Bureau, the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior delivered a speech by which he said: “The Holy Month of Ramadan is drawing to a close, marking the end of the third edition of Ramadan gatherings that took place across the emirates, from east and west and north and south, and brought together prestigious figures in the field of knowledge, experience, opinion makers and scholars at our highly intellectual hosts’ houses, to elaborate on the vision laid down by the wise higher leadership, aimed at ensuring its people’s excellence and leadership. “
Adding further, he said: “Thanks to Allah Almighty and the efforts of all those who contributed to the success of this innovative initiative, we managed to convene a total of 35 Ramadan councils across the seven emirates during 18 days. More than 100 participants added value and expertise to the discussions, which were retweeted and re-posted on social media by thousands of followers, not to mention the TV, radio stations and local newspapers’ followers. Discussions yielded several recommendations by which individuals sought to improve themselves, and interact with their institutions and leaders. By convening such councils, we were the tool to achieve self-improvement through diligent work, and we embodied the well-knit interaction of a society that is keen to support their leadership in carving out a better future for the country; and that do not settle for less than excellence and prominent positions.”
Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Salah Obeid Al Ghoul added: "In those popular councils, we personified the UAE vision 2021’s themes; we were ‘United in Responsibility, Destiny, Knowledge, and Prosperity’. We recalled the dream initiated by late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and carried through by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. A dream followed through with love and victory by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and protected by General H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. During the Ramadan councils, we laid down the characteristics of the confident and responsible Emirati citizen who believes that serving his country is an honor, and that patriotism is a responsibility. In this spirit, they presented an honorable image of their country which became a cultural hub, a role model of rights to be emulated by other nations, and a symbol of tolerance; all of these have become a hallmark of local national culture."
Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Al Ghoul continued: "The council elaborated on several topics notably; nurturing our children to instill the features of distinguished leaders into them. The councils also focused on children healthcare and the means to protect them against the nefarious effects of drugs and stimulants; they tackled the need to embrace children’s skills and teaching them the methods of sound thinking, in order to leverage prosperity as a tool for innovation. The Councils also discussed the means to empower women thanks to the support of the leadership. Furthermore, the Councils stressed the importance of acquainting domestic workers with their rights and obligations.” Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Al Ghoul also noted that the role of social media and its impacts on social relations; society's position between maintaining traditions and adopting modernity; Smart Government and the high-end services; were among the topics tackled by the Ramadan councils during the holy month; in addition to the topic of the martyrs of duty who scarified their souls for the UAE, whose people are united in aspiration and determination, and that ‘the word impossible does not exist in the UAE people and leadership’s lexicon’.
Adding further, he said: "Allow me to seize the opportunity to express thanks and appreciation to H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, sponsor of these councils, who added innovative contemporary ideas in support of such events. His Highness Sheikh Saif has achieved a paradigm shift in terms of convening such councils, and decided in the second edition of the Ramadan Tents, to host them in the warmth of the UAE people’s homes. Since then, the Ministry of Interior is welcomed as a guest at these councils, to listen to citizens from all walks of life and ages, and discuss issues of interest to them; to make them feel that government institutions are endeavoring to serve them wherever they are, even within their homes."
He also expressed gratitude to the hosts who “opened their hearts as well as the doors to their homes, to provide us with the opportunity to submit recommendations to national institutions that kindly responded to our invitation," stated Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Al Ghoul. He continued: "Our national institutions have listened to people’s woes, answered their queries, and enriched discussions with their creative ideas. They also briefed the audience about the services and facilities they provide." Additionally, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Al Ghoul thanked the councils’ elite of moderators who demonstrated creativity in moderating the Councils’ sessions, delivering information, and allowing participants to express their views to competent authorities. He also praised the efforts of the work team who worked diligently throughout Ramadan from Al Ain to Al Fujairah, to organize brainstorming sessions and valuable discussions, to shed light on the vision set forth by the higher leadership to carve out a bright future for the UAE, where people are ‘United in Responsibility, Destiny, Knowledge, and Prosperity’.
Furthermore, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Salah Al Ghoul expressed his thanks and appreciation to government institutions that participated in the Ramadan Councils, namely; the Ministry of Interior; the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Community Development; the Ministry of Economy; the National and Reserve Service Authority; the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments; the General Women's Union; the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council; the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research; and the Watani –UAE Foundation.
His Highness Sheikh Saif and the audience watched a documentary film that showcased excerpt footage of the most prominent discussions that took place during the Ramadan Councils across the UAE this year, in addition to the topics and most important themes tackled.
To begin the honoring ceremony, H.H Sheikh Saif accompanied Mohammad Al Shehhi, son of the UAE martyr Tareq Al Shehhi, to assist him in honoring the hosts and media figures who took part in the MoI’s third edition of the Ramadan Councils.
It is worth mentioning that 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.
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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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