Emirates

Al Sila’ Marine Festival to kick off on December 9

Al DHAFRA, 5th December, 2021 (WAM) — Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the Al Sila’ Marine Festival will run on December 9-11 at the beach of Al Sila’ City, in the Al Dhafra region, Abu Dhabi.

Coinciding with the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, more than AED3 million will be given away in cash prizes during the Al Sila’ Marine Festival, which will be organised by the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club (ADMSC) and the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee – Abu Dhabi.

Major General Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of the Abu Dhabi Police and Chairman of the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee – Abu Dhabi, said, "Al Sila’ Marine Festival represents a valuable addition to the roster of seafaring traditional festivals that translate the UAE wise leadership's interest in preserving heritage and national identity."

"Such festivals contribute to delivering the UAE's message of shared humanity to the whole world and passing on our heritage to future generations. They fall in line with the UAE’s strategic vision to promote and preserve our national identity and launch initiatives that will maintain values of the community. The value of cultural heritage isn’t in cultural manifestation only, but in the wealth of experience and skills passed down from generation to generation," Al Mazrouei said.

He valued the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to support all the initiatives that preserve the UAE cultural heritage. He also hailed H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed’s constant follow-up of the various heritage festivals being organised in the emirate in continuation of the noble efforts that had been made by late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to promote public awareness about quintessential Emirati values and cultural heritage.

He also praised the efforts of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club and its valuable contribution to the maritime activities and competitions that help promote interest in and awareness about aquatic sports among the festival visitors and heritage enthusiasts.

"These activities and initiatives significantly contribute to preserving the UAE heritage, and passing it on to future generations. In the meantime, they help promote our islands and coastal areas, hype marine and heritage sports, and ultimately drive tourist development and stimulate economic growth in Al Dhafra region," he added.

For his part, Ahmed Thani Murshid Al Rumaithi, the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, thanked the UAE wise leadership for their "constant support of sports and athletes in general and marine sports in particular, including both time-honored and modern sports."

"The Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club diligently seeks to strengthen engagement with maritime heritage lovers through an impressive lineup of large-scale events that contribute to expanding the marine sports practice footprint as well as instill love of UAE’s seafaring traditions in the hearts of young people," Al Rumaithi added.

"Organising Al Sila' Marine Festival with a 43 feet traditional dhow race corroborates the cherished status this sport enjoys in everyone's hearts in this region, where the people are well known for their special affinity with authentic Emirati heritage.

"This partnership with the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festival Committee at the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, ensures greater successes will be made over the coming period in continuation of the successful events co-organised before by the Club and the Committee," he noted.

Al Rumaithi expressed his full confidence in the commitment of all the event participants to the health and technical protocols in place, citing the public compliance with the Covid-19 countermeasures shown during the heritage events that had been organised since relaxing the pandemic restrictions over the recent period. He wished resounding success for all the event participants.

"We are hopeful Al Sila' Marine Festival would achieve the aspired goals by increasing the number of sailors and expanding the base of marine sports practitioners in general and heritage enthusiasts in particular," he added.

Essa Saif Al Mazrouei, Vice Chairman, Committee for the Management of Cultural and Heritage Festivals, said that marine heritage festivals have garnered increased interest amongst marine sports lovers and the general public over the past period. He underscored the Committee’s constant endeavors to continue to promote heritage festivals and call attention to the country's seafaring traditions and culture.

"Al Sila' Marine Festival features the 43-foot Dhows Race, and meets the various needs of visitors in terms of edutainment and shopping through an impressive lineup of exciting competitions, including the fly-fishing, Carrom , dominoes, bicycle race, beach volleyball & soccer and traditional arts & crafts competitions. Th festival also includes the Child Village, where there will be a plenty of theatre performances, art, cookery and Bedouin dance workshops, as well as Al Mekshat tents, and a food court," Al Mazroui explained.

He underlined the keenness of the Festival's Organising Committee to ensure compliance with all Covid precautionary and preventative measures as part of the efforts made to recover from the pandemic and restore normalcy.

Majid Ateeq Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Festival's 43-foot Dhow Race, said, "We are truly delighted to organise the Festival and the Race in an area cherished by every Emirati. We’re confident the Festival and Race will secure significant community involvement and attendance."

He added that the partnership with the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee in Abu Dhabi always yields optimal results, as demonstrated by the successes achieved previously, including in the Dalma Traditional Sailing Festival and the Al Dhafra Marine Festival.

"In the meantime, there will be no space for complacency in implementing the COVID-19 countermeasures. Safety comes on top of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club's priorities," Al Muhairi stressed. He underlined the necessity of adhering to specifications and selection criteria for bearings, which, he stressed, will be comprehensively scrutinised before the race starts.

"The past period has witnessed increased involvement on the part of marine heritage lovers and enthusiasts in the races and events organised by the Club. This demonstrates the rigorous work being carried out by the Club to enhance public engagement with heritage events and promote our traditions and heritage among our young people."

Al Sila' Marine Festival aims to preserve the diverse range of marine and terrestrial ecosystems boasted by the UAE, shed light on Emirati heritage and art, and pass it on to future generations. It also seeks to promote Emirati coastal cities and islands, encourage engagement in marine and heritage sports and drive tourist and economic development in Al Dhafra region.

Emirates

Hamdan bin Mohammed launches “04” unified interactive platform to link Dubai Government & its customers

DUBAI, 21st March, 2023 (WAM) — His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, launched “04,” a platform connecting Dubai Government and its customers with a view to encouraging them to contribute to enhancing Dubai’s government services. The platform enables customers to submit suggestions, comments and complaints in three steps via an omnichannel experience.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said: “We have learned invaluable lessons from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that being proactive is the key to the government of the future. To become a proactive government, we must actively listen to the people and make informed decisions based on their input.”

His Highness said that the aim of the “04 Platform” is to bridge the gap between government and its customers. HH said: “Dubai’s model for future governments relies on a strong connection between the leadership and customers, whom it views as strategic partners in designing, implementing, and evaluating the services.” The platform will allow officials and stakeholders to directly receive and respond to customers’ opinions, suggestions, and ideas, as well as any challenges they may face.

His Highness added: “We have great confidence in the government work team, and I urge everyone to consistently engage with customers to meet their aspirations and exceed their expectations. Our ultimate goal is to promote the happiness of society and reinforce Dubai’s position as a world leader in government. We must have the courage to implement necessary changes in our relentless pursuit of excellence, paving the way for a better tomorrow.”

“04 Platform”
The launch of “04 Platform” aligns with Dubai’s ‘360 Services’ policy, which places customers at the heart of the process of developing government services and provides them with a unified platform to voice their opinions, offer suggestions and raise any challenges or complaints.

Developed by the Dubai Model Centre of the General Secretariat of The Executive Council and the Dubai Digital Authority, with the participation of more than 40 government entities and others, the “04 Platform” represents an innovative customer interface for all citizens, residents, and even visitors.

The platform aims to elevate customer satisfaction and happiness to new heights by providing a seamless experience for users. Customers can submit their feedback in just three simple steps: visiting the website (04.gov.ae), selecting the feedback category, and receiving a reference number for tracking and follow-up on their enquiries. The system also supports submission via WhatsApp for Business, where users can add 600500055 as a contact and message directly to provide their feedback.

Emirates

Humaid Al Nuaimi opens Raqib Mosque in Ajman

AJMAN, 21st March, 2023 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman performed the Maghrib prayer today at Al Raqib Mosque in the Al Raqib area of Ajman, marking its opening in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of Ajman Executive Council.

The mosque, built in the modern Islamic style, accommodates up to 1,350 worshippers, and its architecture relied on a system of building with portable walls without columns, in addition to external worship spaces, ablution facilities, an external hallway, extensive lush gardens, and parking lots.

The ruler of Ajman was briefed on the mosque's specs, listening to a comprehensive explanation of the mosque and its various facilities.

He commended the attention accorded to mosques across the nation by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates.

Emirates

Fatima bint Hazza honoured with Arab Woman Award in London

LONDON, 21st March, 2023 (WAM) — The Arab London Foundation awarded Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and the Fatima bint Hazza Cultural Foundation, the Arab Woman Award 2023, in recognition of her outstanding achievements and efforts in empowering women in various fields, especially cultural and sports.
Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan received the award in the culture category during a ceremony held in London, UK, to present the annual Arab Women Awards in its eighth edition under the theme "Tell Her Story," in tribute to her initiatives and successful endeavours in promoting the role of women.
Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Al Nahyan has been nominated for this award for her pioneering role in the cultural scene within the country and the region. She launched initiatives to provide access to education in affected areas in Bangladesh, built schools in Kenya, and established the Fatima bint Hazza Fund for Emirati women to enable them to pursue higher education at prestigious universities worldwide. Sheikha Fatima also launched several initiatives for young people through the Fatima bint Hazza Cultural Foundation, which focuses on art, literature, sustainability, and community interaction. It is worth noting that the foundation is also launching a series of short stories for young people that focus on culture, local identity, and sustainability.
The Arab London Foundation praised Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza's active role in empowering women in various fields, saying, "Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan is committed to enhancing the role of women in various ways, as she is a supporter of sports and arts, and we are honoured to bestow her with the Achievement Award in Cultural Development."
In her speech during the ceremony, Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza greeted Arab women, considering that "this ceremony is a celebration of women's ability to excel, succeed, and contribute positively to the world."
She also thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for their keenness to encourage women and provide them with all they need to play a positive role in society and achieve their dreams.
Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza added that "effective participation and making progress and positive change are the core values that we have been raised on. I am proud to represent my country, the UAE, where women have not had to struggle to obtain their rights, but have always been at the forefront since the establishment of the state."
Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Al Nahyan stated that our founding father, Sheikh Zayed, instilled in us the idea of dreaming without limits and contributing to society through knowledge and good treatment. He believed that women are not only half of society but also the creators of future generations. He was ahead of his time in recognizing the role of women, even before advanced countries began to develop strategies related to this role. The presence of ten female ministers in the UAE government is evidence of gender equality in the country.
Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Al Nahyan expressed her gratitude to her great inspiration, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the "Mother of the Nation," President of the General Women's Union, Chair of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Chair of the Family Development Foundation. Sheikha Fatima is continuously inspired by her strength and immense interest in women's social and governmental affairs.
Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Al Nahyan concluded her statement by saying that her father, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, never stopped believing in and supporting her until she reached where she is now. He is one of the many male supporters of women in the UAE.
It is worth mentioning that the Arab London Foundation Award aims to highlight the successes of Arab women and honour distinguished women who have made a positive impact in the fields of education, literature, culture, media, entrepreneurship, science, community service, and more.
The Arab London Foundation launched the Arab Women's Award in 2014 in collaboration with the Mayor of London, government institutions, and British universities to show great appreciation for the achievements of Arab women worldwide.