Young people should be taught the true meaning of morals and ethics - from professionalism in the workplace to turning up on time – which some adults today have failed to comprehend, a top education official said.
“Moral ethics are not a luxury or an optional trait, it is a necessity... which if achieved, will save the state massive efforts,” said Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, chairman of the Department of Education and Knowledge, member of the Executive Council and chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders.
Moral education classes were introduced in public and private schools in September. The lesson comprises a single hour per week, taught without textbooks and is intended to set young people on the right path in life.
"Some have a limited understanding of moral ethics as personal behaviour," Dr Al Nuaimi said of adults today.
“But it much more than that, it is a building tool, it means that as an individual you should have a significant productive role in society," he said.
“It means that you are committed at work, you go on time and do what the job requires - and it means that you are a positive, proactive person.”
By adding the subject to school curriculums, “we hope that the upcoming generation will be brought up with moral ethics characteristics.”
“We, the older generation, may have lost of it, or have not been able to commit to it,” he said.
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Dr Al Nuaimi was speaking on the first day of the Aqdar World Summit, which aims to raise the value of education and moral education. It is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Saif bin Zayed , Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and in co-operation with Unesco and a range of UAE government authorities.
One problem that has contributed to the deterioration of moral ethics, he said, is the lack of guidance from adults.
On Monday, experts at a child internet symposium in Abu Dhabi warned that parents, who often have their eyes glued to their smart devices, were ignoring their children.
And in turn, their children were beginning to develop bad habit and imitate their parents' addiction to screens.
“In the past when we were children, everyone used to guide and raise,” said Dr Al Nuaimi.
"If someone was seen making a mistake in the street, an older person would pull his ear to teach him right from wrong.
“If someone shoplifted, the shop owner would confront him… so everyone used to raise. If the father or grandparents were busy, the entire society contributed to the raising of a child.”
Too many parents lack the patience or time to instil such principles in young people, Dr Al Nuaimi said, so all of society must contribute.
“If my son makes a mistake, a random person can come and tell him," he said.
Once the society adopts this culture, this will save the government a lot of effort.
“It is not possible for an ethical person to commit treason, or to become a criminal," he said.
The lack of a good upbringing has seen family members squabble over money and other issues.
“Now you see brothers turning into sharks when they split their inheritance," he said.
He said all departments and authorities should contribute to creating a moral society, not only the education ministry.
Dr Al Nuami used the mandatory National Service programme, introduced for 18-30 year olds in 2014, as an example of a drive that has instilled discipline.
“Our sons who finished National Service came out with completely different ethics, commitment, determination and purpose.”
“So we hope that everyone adopts these traits.”
Creating a well disciplined society will ensure a strong future for the emirates, Dr Al Nuami said.
"More tourists will start visiting, businesses will boom and bridges will be built,” he said.
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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- 600-seat auditorium
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
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Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."