ABU DHABI // The ambassador to Britain has hit back at an editorial criticising the UAE, highlighting the UAE's diversity and success.
In a response titled "The UAE is not the intolerant society it's claimed to be", published on Monday on The Guardian's website, Abdul Rahman Al Mutaiwee lauded the rapid progress and accomplishments in education and governance.
"The majority of the UAE's population comes from outside its borders but it remains a tolerant Muslim society where all faiths worship freely - with, for instance, the first woman Anglican priest ordained in the Gulf," Mr Al Mutaiwee wrote. "These achievements have been made not in spite of the UAE's Government, but because of it."
The response followed an editorial in The Guardian newspaper that criticised the UAE's human-rights record and its leadership.
Mr Al Mutaiwee defended the arrests of more than 60 alleged members of Al Islah, the UAE's branch of the Muslim Brotherhood this year.
"The charges against them have nothing to do with political reform and their case will be heard in due course by UAE courts," he wrote.
He clarified that the arrests were unconnected to a petition last year calling for full suffrage for the FNC.
"The UAE made no criticism of the petition's call for political reform," he wrote. "The five [of 130] signatories who were later arrested were charged with offences completely unrelated to the petition and were released following trial."
He highlighted the role of women in the UAE, saying 70 per cent of graduates and four cabinet ministers are female. Mr Al Mutaiwee also hailed the two countries' close ties.
"Today Emiratis enjoy prosperity and freedom, and the UK has a firm friend in a strategically important part of the world, defending and promoting values we both hold dear," he wrote. "That is something to commend, not disparage."
jthomas@thenational.ae
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
List of alleged parties
- May 15 2020: Boris Johnson is said to have attended a Downing Street pizza party
- 27 Nov 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
- Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
- Dec 13 2020: Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee Carrie Symonds throw a flat party
- Dec 14 2020: Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative Party headquarters
- Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
- Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
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ILT20%20UAE%20stars
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis