MoI Ramadan Discuss ‘Zayed' a School of Patriotism’

Under the auspices of the Martyrs’ Families Affairs Office, the Ministry of Interior commenced its Ramadan Councils on Friday evening, under the theme ‘This is what Zayed loves most’. The councils, now in their fifth edition, are organized nationwide by the Law Respect Culture Bureau, in collaboration with the Security Media Department, at the Security Support General Directorate, the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

This year’s inaugural council tackled the topic ‘Zayed; a School of Patriotism’, and included three different themes. The chronology of events in the of the UAE, since the birth of the federation of the emirates, the shared interests, up until the 2nd December, 1971, when the United Arab Emirates formally emerged onto the international stage. The second topic tackled the personality and cultural traits of Emiratis and how His Highness late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan shaped the fundamental individual and national characteristics.  

The third theme shed the light on the love of country and feelings of patriotism, and was titled ‘Following in the leader’s footsteps’. It tackled the values instilled by the founding father, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and how community members and institutions continue to follow suit. 

The Martyrs’ Families Affairs Office will be sponsoring these purposeful councils, which will pay tribute to martyrs this year, in recognition of their role and precious sacrifices to elevate their country, by setting up a ‘Martyr’s Tent’ in each emirate.

Commenting on the organization of the first lecture during the auspicious month of Ramadan under the slogan ‘’Zayed; a School of Patriotism’ at the Martyr’s Tent, the Martyrs’ Families Affairs Office said that the initiative falls in line with the efforts exerted by the social and cultural office to spread the values of patriotism, sacrifice and loyalty instilled by late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. “The UAE sons and daughters have set the greatest and most noble examples and embodied these righteous values, through their sacrifices in defense of truth, justice and their homeland. It is worth mentioning that the Martyrs’ Families Affairs Office is providing support and assistance to these councils, being the competent authority that makes sure that the bereaved families are given all the support and care they need.

The Ministry of Interior extended its heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all those who attended and contributed efforts to ensure a successful launch of the Ramadan councils, namely governmental and national institutions, whose representatives have significantly enriched the discussions. The Ministry also thanked the hosts, officials, decision-makers, media figures and all those who contributed to the successful launch of the 2016 Ramadan councils.

Inculcating love of country in children

Participants in the Martyr’s Tent councils hosted by Al Khabisi Council in Al Ain and the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi, called for instilling in the Emirati youth a deep sense of patriotism and belonging at an early age. They also called for strengthening the sense of belonging to the homeland, promoting its progress and advancement, endeavoring to serve and protect it, and safeguarding its gains, security and stability.

The council also recommended writing the history of late Sheikh Zayed, with a special emphasis on realistic stories from his life, to be taught to children from kindergarten to university. The participants also called for organizing these councils throughout the year, to recall the sacrifice of the martyrs and inculcate national values.

The first council was moderated by media figure Faisal bin Hariz, and was attended by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, alongside the Director of the Martyrs’ Families Affairs Office, and a number of officers, officials and residents. The second council was moderated by media figure, Dr. Habib Yusuf Al Sayegh, and was attended by Colonel Dr. Salah Obeid Al Ghoul, Director of Law Respect Culture Bureau at the Ministry of Interior and Colonel Dr. Mohammed Jassem Al Antali, Professor of Criminal Law at the Police College.

Speakers at both councils recalled the virtues and feats of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, his instrumental role in the establishment of the Union, and the difficulties he encountered. Sheikh Zayed has devoted his life to work with diligence and sincerity to serve his country, his people, Arab and Islamic countries and humanity as a whole. He also devoted his life to building his country, serving its citizens and helping them to achieve their ambitions and aspirations and lead a dignified, decent life. He has led an epic construction journey, establishing schools, promoting education, providing the finest health services, as well as completing significant modern infrastructure projects.

Participants in the Martyr’s Tent councils in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, praised the attention dedicated by the country to martyrs’ families, by setting up the Martyrs’ Families Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court. This office aims at providing care and support to the bereaved families, in coordination with other official bodies in the country. The participants also commended the UAE leadership’s eagerness to dedicate an annual day to honor the country’s fallen heroes, by decreeing November 30th as Martyrs' Day in honor of the UAE's fallen soldiers and their sacrifices.

The child Hamdan Mohammed Saif Balroub Al Qubaisi, brother of Major Pilot Saif Al Qubaisi, recited a poem at the Marty’s Tent council in Abu Dhabi, by which he praised the nation’s righteous martyrs and their sacrifices.

Reinforcing National Identity and Consolidating the Values of Belonging and Loyalty

UAE national Saeed Mohammed Al Kindi hosted the council in Dubai, which was moderated by media figure Sami Al Riyami, and attended by a crowd of officers, officials and citizens. The participants in the council called for reinforcing national identity and consolidating the values of belonging and loyalty. They also called for endeavoring to reflect a civilized image of the country, as envisioned and established by late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, by following in the footsteps of the founding father. 

Participants at the council called for including an academic material in the educational curricula documenting the various historical stages of the establishment of the United Arab Emirates on December 2nd, 1971, as well as the efforts and sacrifices of the founding fathers and the difficulties they faced. They also praised the forefathers’ will and strong determination that have established the UAE as a role model for countries of the world.

Furthermore, the participants in the Council discussed the life story of late Sheikh Zayed and his humanitarian and social feats. For late Sheikh Zayed, the human capital is the real wealth of this country, and building human resources is central to comprehensive social and economic development. The unrelenting efforts of Sheikh Zayed have yielded positive and impressive results that laid the cultural foundations of the country and instilled in the UAE citizens, the spirit of challenge in pursuit of further construction and success.

Following in the footsteps of the Union’s Founding Fathers

In Sharjah, the council was hosted by Ali Salem Al Mazroui and moderated by media figure Dr. Ali Mohamad Singel. Attendees included Brigadier Staff Dr. Ali Salim Al Tunaiji, Deputy Commander of Special Security Forces at the Ministry of Interior; Brigadier Staff Mohamad Abdullah Al Mulla, from the Ministry of Defense; Saeed Abdullah Al Mutawa, member of the Federal National Council (FNC); and a large number of officials. Participants stressed the need to follow the lead of the founding fathers of the UAE, adopt their approach and follow in their footsteps. They called for learning from their ideas in building the country, and for further reinforcing the values of loyalty and belonging to the country and its leadership.

Participants in the council discussed the internal and external challenges faced by HH Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who insisted on establishing the union, and stressed the importance of unity amongst Emiratis, as a vital necessity to provide a better life for the people. He also focused on developing the human capital, being the real wealth of this country, and central to comprehensive social and economic development. HH late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan endeavored diligently to provide his people with a decent life; and to serve his country, his people, Arab and Islamic countries and humanity as a whole. Participants also recalled HH Late Sheikh Zayed’s now immortal words, "Arab blood is far more valuable than Arab oil”, commending his unrelenting pursuit of peace and giving. 

Promoting cohesion and unity

Hosted by Abdullah bin Ghalita Al Ghafli in Ajman, the council was moderated by media figure Mohamed Ibrahim Al Raisi and attended by a number of officers, officials, and residents. Participants called for promoting the spirit of cohesion and unity, and stressed the need for Emirati citizens to conduct in way that would best represent their country and paint a positive and favorable picture for other nations and people. They also recommended establishing a ‘Zayed’ Council across the different ministries and governmental institutions, to review the praiseworthy local and international deeds of HH Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his unremitting efforts to build solid foundations for the process of construction and giving.

Participants also discussed the achievements of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan that have benefitted individuals, not only in the UAE, but in the whole world. He has also inculcated the culture of giving in Emiratis and adopted different humanitarian initiatives that cover all aspects of life, especially education and health, on the local, Arab and international levels.

Inculcating Sheikh Zayed’s righteous deeds in children 

The council hosted by Salem Ali KhalfanHleis in Umm Al Quwain was moderated by media figure Mohamad Majid Al Suwaidi and attended by Colonel Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmed Al Mualla, Commander-in-Chief of Umm Al Quwain Police, and a number of officers and citizens from the emirate. Participants called for instilling the righteous deeds of HH Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in all citizens, to maintain security and safety and reinforce cohesion amongst all segments of society.

Participants in the council spoke about the establishment of the UAE, which has united interests and strengthened solidarity. They also discussed the positions of HH Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his determination to building human and financial resources to serve the country, and HH Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s impressive record of national achievements. Participants valued Zayed’s continuous call to spread the culture of tolerance and moderation in Islam and to encourage dialogue and rapprochement between cultures, civilizations and religions, in a bid to build a secure and prosperous future for humanity. They also lauded his leading role and dedicated attention in education and health.

Following in the Footsteps of Sheikh Zayed

Participants at the council hosted by Salem Ali Al Nar Al Shehhi, member of the Federal National Council (FNC) in Al Jeer area in Ras Al Khaimah, called for following in the footsteps of the late forefather Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and continue on the same path. The council was moderated by media personality Abdullah Al Mutawa’ and attended by Brigadier Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Humaidi, Director General of Central Operations at RAK Police; Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, Deputy Director of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; as well as a number of officers, officials and residents.

The participants pointed out to the prestigious global status enjoyed by the UAE today, as well as the security, stability and prosperity it is witnessing in various fields, due to the solid foundations that were laid down by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The participants also indicated that the UAE was and will remain synonymous of goodness and generosity in field of humanitarian work, on the Arab, Islamic and international levels. They said that the UAE has always been the first to extend a helping hand in all humanitarian issues around the world, which earned the country the respect and deep appreciation on a global level. Participants also that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has made the UAE a global humanitarian hub for giving and philanthropy.,

“Loyal to Zayed” Association under the Ministry of Interior

Saeed Mohammed Al Raqbani, Advisor to HH Ruler of Fujairah hosted a council, which was moderated by media personality Humaid Jassim Al Zaabi. The council was attended by Brigadier Mohammed Ahmed bin Ghanim Al Ka’bi, Commander-in-Chief of Fujairah Police; Brigadier Mubarak Rabi bin Sinan, Director General of the Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Fujairah; Ahmed Saeed Al Matroushi, Director of Department of West Asia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; as well as a number of officers, officials and residents. The participants called for establishing an Association to be named “Loyal to Zayed”, under the MoI’s umbrella. They also called for launching a satellite channel called “Zayed Satellite Channel”, to showcase the life journey of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and programs to instil the values of loyalty, belonging and sacrifice for the UAE in the young generations.

The participants discussed the experience of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan between the past and the present, as well as his leading achievements in various humanitarian fields, and the progress and prosperity he achieved for his people following the establishment of the Union despite the numerous challenges. The participants at the council praised Sheikh Zayed’s wise thinking and approach, which established the UAE as a beacon amongst other countries, an oasis of safety and stability, and a coveted destination to people of the world.

Instilling the Journey of Zayed in Young Generations

A women’s council was hosted by MahraAbdulrahimFalkanaz in Dubai, and was moderated by media personality Fadheela Al Muaini. The council was attended by SheikhaDr.Hindbint Abdul Aziz Al-Qasimi, Chairperson of Emirates Business Women Council, Ambassador of goodwill; Sheikha Fatima Bint Hasher Al Maktoum; Sheikha Fatima bint Ahmed Al Mualla, Dr. RafiaGhubash, Founder and Chairperson of Women’s Museum; Dr. Aisha Bilkhair, Director of Research and Knowledge Services, at the National Archives at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in the UAE; Maryam Othman, Director of Rashid Centre for the Disabled in Dubai; AzzaSulaiman Mohammed bin Sulaiman, Member of FNC, and a number of Emirati dignitaries and female media figures.

Participants called for following in the steps of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, nurturing  children as Sheikh Zayed would have liked. They also called for promoting the values of unity amongst the various segments of the Emirati society, as well as instilling the Zayed way of life and his efforts to overcome challenges in the young generations, which would ultimately reflect positively on them and provide them with patience, perseverance and success.

The participants also highlighted a number of issues and topics that were a top priority for the late Sheikh Zayed; notably education, which he regarded as central and instrumental to building knowledgeable societies, achieving progress for nations, and ensuring a prosperous life for people. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, called for education and worked to encourage women to seek out education as well.

The participants at the council highlighted the landmarks achievements and milestones made across social, cultural or educational aspects of life in the UAE under Sheikh Zayed’s rule. They noted that education played a significantly important role in achieving the aspirations of the UAE, because Sheikh Zayed always believed that education is the pillar of development and progress.