ABU DHABI // Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has praised the nation's youth who this month registered in large numbers for national service.
“We are confident that our people’s glowing spirit of patriotism, which was evident in the response of youth who had joined national service recently, will be able to counter and fend off these looming threats and dangers … so that they will not distract us from our most important project – building our nation,” he said.
Sheikh Mohammed, also Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, outlined the issues affecting the UAE in a majlis at Al Bateen Palace.
The points he raised included the need for government departments and individuals to work together in serving the needs of the country.
Sheikh Mohammed praised the role of the President, Sheikh Khalifa, in ensuring the country followed the path of its founding fathers.
He also presented his vision for the development of the UAE, which wants to be among the most developed in the world.
“Our work and effort at this time is the fruit that your children and grandchildren will be reaping,” he said. “We now have a historic opportunity for us to bolster the progress the UAE has been making, at the regional level.”
Sheikh Mohammed reminded everyone of their obligations to the nation.
“We are all partners in the service of, and for the sake of, the glory of this nation,” he said. “We are shouldering a heavy responsibility and a heavy obligation.
“Therefore we have to place the higher national interests over and above all narrow and personal and individual interests, and advantages of persons, corporations and establishments.
“This does demand more cooperation from and more coordination between all bodies, as well as teamwork that is for the sake of optimal performance, and creative work that will achieve all our ambitions for UAE to become, by the help of Allah, a successful and leading model for steering the process of progress, development and growth in the region in order to achieve a place among advanced nations.”
Sheikh Mohammed also addressed recent developments in the region, in particular the growing threats of extremism and terrorist groups operating under the name of religion in the region.
The region is going to enter a new stage of challenges and the UAE will not be untouched, he said.
These trends would require that the UAE “be highly prepared for countering them, keep pace with the resulting developments and ably deal with their spillover”.
Sheikh Mohammed stressed that loyalty to the nation prevails over loyalty to families, tribes or regions.
“Loyalty to UAE comes first and foremost, and shall prevail over any other loyalties,” he said.
“This is what all of us must instil in the youth in order to strengthen our march and unite our ranks.”
Those present included Deputy Prime Ministers Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, also Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, also Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Also attending were: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region; and ambassadors of other countries.
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