Every week, The National looks at the people and politics of the UAE, as the country steps more confidently forward on the world stage
June 25
Mansour bin Zayed opens mosque in Al Ain
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, opened Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque in Umm Ghafa, Al Ain. Sheikh Mansour and the attendees performed maghreb in the mosque, which can accommodate 1,000 worshippers and was designed in keeping with the country’s heritage. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court supervised construction of the mosque, which includes Quran memorisation centres for men and women, and a female prayer room. “The mosque represents a qualitative addition to mosques and the holy Quran memorisation centres in Al Ain as well as other cities in the country to provide correct views and information in compliance with the tolerant Islamic teachings,” Sheikh Mansour said.
Yemenis receive aid from Emirates Red Crescent
Lorries carrying aid arrived in Yemen as part of the UAE’s programme to help Yemenis affected by continuing conflict. The 57 vehicles, ordered by President Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, held 1,368 tonnes of basic food items for 30,300 underprivileged people. The convoy was sent by Emirates Red Crescent, in coordination with the King Salman Centre for Relief and Humanitarian Works.
June 26
Sheikh Nahyan opens Al Aziz mosque in Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, opened Al Aziz Mosque on Reem Island in the presence of religious clerics. Sheikh Nahyan and the audience performed the Friday prayer in the mosque, which can hold 2,500 worshippers. It covers 5,100 square metres and, at a cost of Dh65 million, is three storeys high. Dr Mohammed Al Kaabi, chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, was also in attendance.
Human Appeal International donates computers for Jerusalem orphans
Human Appeal International donated 73 educational notebooks for grade 10 students at the Arab Institute for Orphans, in Jerusalem, as part of the NETKETABi (My netbook) project. The touchscreen-enabled computers enable students lacking regular internet access to continue their education offline. Ibrahim Rashid, director of HAI’s office in the West Bank, said the assistance is part of HAI’s efforts to secure a social safety net for 20,000 orphaned children.
June 27
Sharjah Charity Association begins Zakat project
The Sharjah Charity Association has started distribution of Dh5 million worth of aid to 3,000 families enlisted with the association as part of the zakat project being implemented during Ramadan. Abdullah Al Naqbi, chairman of the Ramadan Campaign higher committee, said the distribution of zakat was in line with the society’s Ramadan projects being organised at the headquarters of the association and its branches.
Dubai Electricity and Water plans for emergencies
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority organised a workshop for local and federal organisations to discuss the roles and responsibilities of each of them during emergencies. “Our strategy is to avoid crises before they happen, and to be prepared to deal with them according to the highest levels of readiness and professionalism if they occur,” said Saeed Al Tayer, chief of the authority.
June 28
Ajman Ruler receives Islamic visiting scholars
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, received Islamic scholars visiting the UAE during Ramadan as guests of President Sheikh Khalifa. The scholars paid a courtesy visit to Al Zaher Palace, during which they extended their best wishes to Sheikh Humaid and the people of the UAE and Arab and Muslim nations. The scholars highlighted the need to promote the teachings of Islam and introduce others to Islamic tolerance and moderation.
Sheikh Abdullah presides over Emirates Foundation's directors' meeting
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Foreign Minister and chairman of Emirates Foundation, presided over the annual meeting of the foundations’s board of directors. The meeting was attended by, among others, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, and focused on the progress and achievements of the foundation’s programmes this year. Board members highlighted Takatof’s recent engagement of 400 youths at Expo Milan and this year’s Think Science Fair, which drew 10,000 visitors and engaged with more than 1,400 young people. “Our mission is to guide, inspire and empower the UAE youth and our work is about ensuring that each one of our programmes is delivering a high impact, is run effectively and is cost effective,” Sheikh Abdullah said.
June 29
UAE Embassy in Thailand oversees Zakat Fund distribution to 1,000 families
The UAE Embassy in Thailand has overseen its Zakat Project, implemented by the Zakat Fund in Abu Dhabi, to benefit 1,000 families from Myanmar living inside the Thai border. Distribution was overseen by Ali Al Mazrouei, of the UAE Embassy in Thailand, and members of the Islamic society. On the same day, 120 orphans in Tripoli, Lebanon, received iftar meals. The project was carried out by the humanitarian and development aid office at the UAE Embassy in Beirut. As part of the same project, the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation provided food parcels for more than 1,000 Lebanese and Syrian families in north Lebanon.
Dubai Police Chief receives US consul general
Maj Gen Khamis Al Mazeina, commander-in-chief of Dubai Police, discussed with Rob Waller, the US consul general to Dubai, ways to strengthen cooperation between Dubai Police and the US consulate concerning the US community.
June 30
FANR seeks public comment on Regulation for Decommissioning of Facilities
The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, FANR, released a draft nuclear safety regulation document, before inviting the public to review it and offer opinions. FANR’s draft Regulation 21 for Decommissioning of Facilities establishes the requirements to decommission safely places where nuclear energy or radioactive materials have been used. The draft regulation is available on FANR’s website, with members of the public invited to send their comments to regulation@fanr.gov.ae. Comments will be accepted until July 30.
Fujairah Ruler receives Commander of UAE Naval Forces, guest scholars
Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, received Rear Admiral Ibrahim Al Musharrakh, Commander of the UAE Naval Forces, Dr Mohammed Al Kaabi, President of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Awqaf, and Jean Paul Tarud-Kuborn, ambassador of Chile to the UAE, who came to congratulate him on the occasion of Ramadan. Sheikh Hamad also received guest scholars of the President Sheikh Khalifa, senior officials, dignitaries, businessmen, citizens and residents. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, was also in attendance.
July 1
Al Owais and French ambassador discuss UAE-France medical cooperation
Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health, and the French ambassador to the UAE, Michel Miraillet, discussed medical cooperation between the UAE and France, and ways to benefit from France’s medical training. In turn, the French ambassador commended the fast-paced achievement being made in the local health sector.
Al Aqsa Mosque orator hails UAE’s support for Palestinians
The orator of Al Aqsa Mosque and First Deputy of Jerusalem’s High Islamic Authority, Dr Yousuf Salama, has said the support by the UAE leadership was instrumental in backing the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land. Dr Salama, who is participating in the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, said the attitudes of the President, Sheikh Khalifa, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, have bolstered the resistance of the Palestinians on their land and enabled them to continue to play their role in protecting the Islamic and Christian holy sites and the Arab national identity. The Palestinian orator and other officials also commended the support extended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to the Palestinian people in the current difficult conditions resulting from Israel’s aggression.
July 2
UAE Embassy oversees iftar project in Thailand and Cambodia
The UAE Embassy in Thailand has overseen the implementation of the iftar project in both countries, in cooperation with the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, Emirates Red Crescent, Dar Al Ber Society, the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and Sharjah Charity International. The UAE Embassy in Senegal oversaw distribution of 800 food packages in Gambia, provided by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation. The Khalifa Foundation’s Ramadan Programme has been implemented in more than 60 countries.
