Although it's relatively new to the UAE, the origins of military conscription go back thousands of years to ancient Mesopotamia, where the Kingdoms of Babylon employed a system of conscription called "ilkum". Clearly an ancient concept would not survive for this long if it did not have clear, tangible benefits to individuals and the society.
The decision to extend the term of National Service was met with enthusiasm from parents and young people in the UAE. In only three years, the benefits of the programme have already been felt by the conscripts who joined up and by society as a whole.
Many of those young people described National Service as a "life-changing programme" that has completely transformed their lives and perspective. It enforced important values and encouraged the adaptation of essential skills that are necessary in building successful individuals; such as discipline, time-management, respect and accountability.
The benefits of the programme were also reflected in the society as a whole, as it helped to create a safer society. Reports show that National Service has helped to decrease the crime rate among young Emiratis by 75 per cent, as well as significantly reduce the number of incidents of disorder between young people. In addition, National Service promotes social cohesion and strengthens national identity. In today's world, one of the most important things to any country is to ensure that it has a cohesive society that will remain resilient against the challenges and the threats that could affect it.
National Service teaches young people the value of the safe, secure and prosperous life that we live. The security and stability of a country is most important, because there is no prosperity without it. It is important to understand and appreciate the role of the military, one of the most important institutions in the state, because we owe our prosperity and security to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to keep us safe.
National Service is one way to give back to a country that has given us so much. When our young people begin their adult lives by giving back, there is great hope that they will aspire to become the force that will drive their country forward to succeed in the future.
Mariam Rashed Al-Mehairbi is an Abu Dhabi-based writer with a master's degree in security and strategic studies and a master's in media and communications
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: Dh898,000
On sale: now
CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20LEAGUE%202
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Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Company%20profile
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The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
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Match info
Athletic Bilbao 0
Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5