Positive reception for changes to National Service recruitment rules

Liwa National Service Training Centre receives the fourth batch of Emirati recruits for National Service. Wam

ABU DHABI // Emiratis with foreign fathers have welcomed the decision last week allowing them into national service.

“This law is an honour because we want to protect the country in which we were born and raised,” said Khalid Albloushi, 23, of Ras Al Khaimah, whose father holds a Comoros Islands passport.

“Even before the law made it mandatory for young men to serve, there was an option for people who wanted to be candidates.

“I have entered, although not as a citizen, in the military in Al Ain with citizens and we were treated the same.”

Before mandatory military service was introduced, those who took training did so as reserve soldiers, Mr Albloushi said.

“Now you have to serve for at least nine months,” he said. “We were not surprised when it was announced that children of Emirati women have the option to serve in the military as it was something we were calling for.

“I will, of course, want to go again and serve for nine months. That way I will be ready in case my country needs me.”

Mr Albloushi said he had never been made to feel different from Emirati citizens.

“Not when it came to health services or education,” he said. “My treatment is the same as that of a citizen.

“Even in university, I was accepted as an Emirati and the university provided me with residency and education for free.

“When I go on trips with the university I represent the Emirates and I say I am Emirati.”

In 2011 the President, Sheikh Khalifa, issued a decree allowing those with Emirati mothers but foreign fathers to apply for citizenship after they turned 18.

Fatema Haddad, 29, whose father is Palestinian, had dreamt of being an army officer.

“I tried so hard to be in the army and the feeling faded away because many other things came in the way,” Ms Haddad said. “My sister and I applied at a career exhibition in Al Ain before they announced it last year.

“They took our IDs and our names but that’s it – no one called us and nothing happened. They said they would give us Dh10,000 to Dh15,000 as a salary but we wouldn’t have a specific position.”

Ms Haddad said she was pleased with the military service law.

“It’s common sense,” she said. “It’s about time and it’s a good thing because so many things are happening around us and the men need to have more awareness about how to serve their country.

“It’s never bad to serve your country. The UAE will benefit from it. I will only consider it if they ever call me back.”

Ms Haddad said her new status would also help her to find a good job.

“I graduated five years ago and until now I did not have a job,” she said. “It’s very difficult. I had my whole life planned when I was at university but when I came out, it was a big burden.

“I have been looking for a decent job for five years in administration and I would do anything at this point. I am even considering working abroad because I have an American passport.”

Her sister Mona, 21, said she appreciated the Government’s announcement.

“We are a family of six girls,” she said. “My sister really loves the army but we were told children with foreign fathers don’t get promoted so she didn’t even think about it, and she ended up getting the idea out of her head.

“I wouldn’t consider it myself because I’m more of a girly type and my parents wouldn’t encourage it.”