Dr Ebtesam Al Ketbi is the president of the Emirates Policy Centre
December 01, 2022
It might not be an overstatement to suggest that the duration between the UAE’s 50th and 51st anniversary celebrations seems relatively long. The success, scale, and magnitude of the country’s initiatives, accomplishments and projects during 2022 give that impression. After all, moments of joy for a nation are derived from recounting such accomplishments, enlisting significant progress and valuing constant readiness to tackle its numerous challenges.
The leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed provides a different flavour to the UAE’s 51st National Day celebration. A few days ago, the UAE launched the “We, The UAE 2031” strategy. It is a national plan, a roadmap for the next decade and a decisive step toward the federation’s centennial, led by the UAE President.
Moments of Emirati joy on an auspicious occasion such as National Day get more significant when they relate to the extent of UAE’s success in achieving its targets and objectives as a nation. “We, The UAE 2031” is a timely announcement, and countries that manage time properly deserve its accolades.
The UAE celebrates its second National Day, in 1973, with a parade along the old corniche in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Peter Alves
Armed forces march along Abu Dhabi's old corniche as part of National Day celebrations in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
Crowds gather on a building under construction to watch the UAE's second National Day parade go by in Abu Dhabi, in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
The UAE celebrates its second National Day, in 1973, with a parade along the old corniche in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Peter Alves
A float representing Al Maqta bridge is driven along Abu Dhabi's old corniche in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
Marchers create the UAE flag as part of the National Day parade in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
The parade stretches further in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
A vehicle is stuck in sand as the UAE's second National Day celebrations continue. Photo: Peter Alves
Egyptian singer Najat Al Saghira performs on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after the UAE was formed. Photo: Alittihad
The UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at the first anniversary of the Union, on December 2, 1972. Photo: Ministry of the Presidential Court
Sheikh Zayed watches a military ceremony for the fourth National Day in 1975. Photo: Ittihad
Sheikh Zayed at the UAE's first National Day celebration. Photo: Alittihad
Al Saghira performs in Abu Dhabi for the first National Day celebrations, in 1972. Photo: Alittihad
As the National Day comes toward the end of the year, the joy and celebration become a reward for the UAE people and expatriates for the entire year’s accomplishments. For the UAE, the National Day is not a slogan or mere rhetoric, but the outcome of a reality built with relentless efforts. The UAE today is the second-largest Arab economy and the third-largest economy in the Middle East. A diverse ecosystem supports its secure institutional environment that enhances moderation, tolerance, co-existence and inter-faith dialogue. These conditions empower the principles of human fraternity, renounce extremism and help fight against terrorism.
The UAE’s National Day blends joy with pride and makes the celebration an occasion to motivate and contribute more toward the country’s advancement. It is an occasion to widen opportunities, enhance capabilities and self-development, and increase partnerships. It encourages investment in science, knowledge and innovation. These efforts further empower the nation’s independence and put it on the path of glory.
Those observing the UAE’s march toward progress can discern a common denominator between the country’s development and alliances. It has been the key to the UAE’s success. The nation is aware that expanding windows of opportunity is imperative. It firmly believes that opportunities come with risks and unjustified caution is not the best way forward. It is not without reason that the UAE, which has 0.13 per cent of the world’s population, represents about 1.5 per cent of global trade.
The generous Emirati leadership’s awareness of opportunities and readiness to tackle challenges provide a fundamental motivation for the nation. We collectively take pride in this beautiful country and congratulate its wise leadership. Many happy returns of the day, and long live the UAE federation.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
Sole survivors
Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
