ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Thursday, July 17th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

During the Ramadan Council, organized by the Law Respect Culture Bureau at the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Interior, the participants underscored the responsibility of the family in promoting patriotism through the various media, and the need to spread it among all categories of society. The council, which was hosted by Sheikh Sultan Bin Ali Al Khateri, at his house in Ras Al Khaimah, called for revising educational curricula, notably Islamic Studies; and leveraging social media sites to raise awareness of the youth and inculcate patriotism and love for the country and its leadership in them.

The council, which was moderated by media personality Mohammed Ghanem, Mustafa Director General of Ras Al Khaimah Broadcasting Corporation, elaborated on the topic of “Patriotism is a responsibility”. Participants called upon all citizens to reflect patriotism in their behavior, and urged the country’s intellectual elite to leverage these Ramadan councils to enhance patriotism. They also urged parents to show gratitude towards their homeland by protecting their children from harmful beliefs, and stressed the importance of being wary of undisciplined media.

In his speech at the council, Sheikh Sultan Bin Ali Al Khateri said: “Our country is a precious asset; hence, it is our solemn duty to nurture our children at an early age, to rally around our wise leadership and protect the country that was established with patience and wisdom by His Highness, late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nhayan, may God have mercy on his soul, so that his people can enjoy well-rounded lifestyles and prosperity.”

He added: “UAE citizens need to recall the past, and reminisce on the times before the establishment of the Union, when we warring rival tribes, leading a primitive difficult life. We should be grateful for our present well-rounded lifestyle, which made us the happiest people around the world.  Shouldn’t we be united, thankful for this blessing? Shouldn’t we rally around our wise leadership, which empowered our country to outrank other well-established countries in the region?” In conclusion, Al Khateri called upon everyone to be responsible and patriotic citizens.

For his part, Ahmad Mohammad Al Khatri, Advisor and Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Courts, said: “The UAE leadership is keen to engage citizens in main national issues. This is reflected by its constant efforts to convene such councils, which represent a platform for intellectuals and enlightened minds to pitch in their thoughts in the dialogues and discussions, which can be taken into account in the quest to promote patriotism and enhance the deep-rooted love for the country.”

For his part, Salem Rashid Al Maftoul, Legal Advisor, called upon the UAE youth to be ready to sacrifice for the country. He pointed out that the higher leadership is a role model to be emulated in establishing a great country that everyone is proud to belong to.  “Therefore, it is the duty of all citizens to show gratitude towards their country, to live by the value of patriotism and to instill it in their children, because action speaks louder than words,” he said.

Emirati poet Sheikh Majid bin Sultan Al Khatri called upon all UAE citizens to express gratitude to the country and its higher leadership, which have earned the United Arab Emirates a prominent position among world countries and have provided a decent life for citizens. Thanks to these unwavering efforts in the process of development, prosperity, and giving, the UAE citizens have become the “Happiest People”.

Moreover, Saif Ali Rashid Al Mazroui, lecturer and trainer in self and human resources development, said: “The UAE people enjoy a peaceful and prosperous life and numerous blessings.”

Ahmed Issa Al Ism, Director of Emirates Writers Union Office in Ras Al Khaimah, emphasized the importance of the family’s role in instilling the sense of patriotism in children. He also underscored the important role of writers and intellectuals in enhancing patriotism, by focusing primarily on beliefs, and respect for the laws and educational values.

Furthermore, Salem Al Shehhi, trainer, Human Resources Development and Administrative Training, indicated that the Emirati citizens have already achieved  security and are currently living in peace. He added that the family is the nucleus of society; hence, the family must inculcate patriotism and respect for the law in children, as a spontaneous behavior and practice.

For his part, Muhammad Abdullah Subeiaan, Preacher and Imam at the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments, called for protecting children through proper upbringing from the home, school and higher education institutions, and by also using reliable sources of knowledge.

Colonel Dr. Faisal Saeed Al Mail, Director of Jazira al-Hamra (“Red Island”) Police Station, stressed the importance of taking advantage of the experience and expertise of adults in enhancing and developing the sense of patriotism; highlighting the importance of the Community Police’s efforts in enhancing the sense of security and patriotism.

Recommendations

Participants at the council also called for leveraging  social media to educate the youth; spread the sense of patriotism; limit the impacts on the youth and the public opinion in order to address properly such as: “media- education- undertaking civil service- the family”; reviewing academic curricula, especially Islamic Education; adding lessons that enhance patriotism in young people, as well as national addendums to be taught in the country’s schools to instill patriotism in students; update legislations that govern  social networking sites; organize seminars and lectures at the various ministries and  institutions, especially the educational institutions; focus on overseas students and parents’ councils at the countrywide level; and maintain the national identity through educational institutions, such as preserving the national  costume and the Arabic language.

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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