Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at Jones the Grocer in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and RShow more

Good leadership is rooted in vision and transparency



In a recent article, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman outlined how Arabs elsewhere compared their struggling situations to the social and economic progress of the UAE and more specifically Dubai.

In an article titled Did Dubai do it?, he outlines the growth of business, education and arts, the rise of government-backed ventures to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and new global media companies shedding light on the success stories from within the UAE.

For me, as a proud Emirati, his message resonates deeply. But he misses one critical element – and that’s our leadership.

Allow me, a simple citizen of this country, to paint a clear picture of what I have learnt through observing our leadership steer us in a different direction to that of some of our conflict-torn neighbours.

Firstly, I have learnt that our leadership’s strong connection with their people is a fundamental ingredient to creating a platform for growth, success and stability.

Under the leadership of Sheikh Zayed, the tribes were brought together to create the United Arab Emirates. Each needed the other, a fact our leaders and people understood. That lesson continues to shape how policy is implemented even today.

That connection between leadership, citizens and residents even finds it way into our regular lives. Our rulers are accessible. This is something unique to our country – and something that still catches people off guard when they visit – but sets the tone for a society where walls between classes are broken down every day.

Secondly, our leadership ensures that wealth filters down. Citizens are provided with education, employment, housing and even access to funding to start a business.

These schemes ensure that citizens experience the fruits of the wealth and opportunities our natural resources have blessed us with. If anything, they have an opportunity to realise their dreams, to prosper and live lives of purpose – all of which is key to building a stable and thriving society.

Last, and certainly not least, I have learnt that a leadership that is tolerant and respectful of others can attract the best and brightest minds.

Our leaders and people have opened their arms for all to come and better their lives. It’s hard to name too many other countries in the world where so many different nationalities live in peace and harmony and do so with similar goals of growing themselves and the nation.

I am grateful for Friedman’s story about the region. We don’t read much that is positive about the region in the western media these days, especially when the narrative is focused on minorities such as ISIL, who don’t represent the beliefs of the general public who just want to live lives of peace and dignity.

Put aside for a moment the glitz and glamour of our progress. We have been helped towards realising our true potential when the leadership and the people act as a united force. That I believe is the lesson we can all take away from the UAE’s model, because when all is falling apart around us, that is the only thing that has kept us together and pushes us forward.

Khalid Al Ameri is an Emirati social commentator

Twitter: @KhalidAlAmeri

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars

Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 4/5
The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
SPECS
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Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
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
Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

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THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
  • Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
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if you go

The flights

Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes

The package

Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January

The info

Visit www.gokorea.co.uk