Sheikh Mohammed Q&A: On Education |
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I asked my son to write this message to you. I just want to say that I can never forget your enthusiasm when our national team scored a goal and we won the Gulf Cup Championship in Abu Dhabi. However, since that day, things have changed. Our team is not as qualified as it used to be. It hasn't been a source of pride anymore. I would like to request you to encourage the people in charge of the team so they intensify their efforts. Falling performance is intolerable. Our performance has been shameful during the Gulf Cup in Muscat and other matches. I request you not to overlook this issue. --Um Saeed, Kalba
Thank you for your message, Um Saeed. Sports has its ups and downs. I agree with you that our national team hasn't been as successful after the Gulf Cup in Abu Dhabi. However, the Federation of Football is handling this issue. Meanwhile, we have very promising players in the youth team, which won the Asian Cup. Sports is an integrated system of elements, and not a mere collection of players, playgrounds and coaches. Three years ago, I indicated that improvement in our performance in sports starts with strengthening the sports curriculum in schools, with special attention to sports administration and management. Today, sports are finding their way back to schools. Moreover, we have a programme for the development of sports management leaderships. Through accurate planning and hard work, we can develop our sports capacity and our national team will excel.
Your Highness, which sports club is your favourite? --Ali, Fujairah
I encourage our national teams in all sports. I have high hopes for our national youth football team. My favourite sports club is the one characterised by ambition. The club that focuses on continuous improvement maintains sports ethics and a positive spirit, while representing the UAE in an honourable way abroad. I also follow the national football league and, for this year's championship, I think Al Ahli and Al Jazeera did a great job; they deserve to share the cup.
Your Highness, we've always known you to be energetic, lively, and in good shape and health. Do you practise sports daily? Are you on a certain diet? --Saoud Abdulla, Ras Al Khaimah
I practise horse riding and walk regularly, but not on a daily basis. As for your question regarding my diet, there is nothing special about my diet, but I make sure that I eat moderately.
Your Highness, I am an Emirati mother of three children, and I do admire you and your sons, particularly Sheikh Hamdan. I want to ask you about the way you bring up your children and the values you are keen to convey to them. How do you motivate them to be ambitious and achieve excellence in all their endeavours? --Ebtesam Saif, UAE
I am bringing up my children in accordance with the teachings of our Islamic religion, our authentic Arab values and our inherited customs and traditions.
I teach them that they have been destined to be the children of a ruling family and that they should be role models in work and behaviour for other young people. I also teach them to do their best to serve their country and its people. I teach them that a healthy mind is in a healthy body. They have to study extremely well, and have an open mind, along with tolerance towards others' cultures and experiences, and at the same time stay physically fit and play sports regularly.
It is only natural that people have been created with differences - and it is the father's responsibility to become aware of his children's different interests and help them nurture and develop them.
As for motivating children to become ambitious, it comes from encouraging them, generating self-confidence, and recalling role models from the past and the present.
Your Highness, I like and appreciate poetry and I want to ask you who is your favourite poet in Nabati (local accent) and in classic Arabic? --Mohammed Al Shehy, UAE
There are several Nabati poets whose work I like. Sheikh Zayed - may his soul rest in peace - was an excellent poet. I also like the poems of Ibn Zaher. I would rather not mention specific names of modern poets, as they are all my friends. As for classic poetry, I do appreciate Al Mutanabi, Al Buhtouri and Abu Tamam among the old ones. Among the modern poets, I like the poems of Ahmed Shawky, Hafez Ibrahim and Omar Abu Reesha. Generally, I appreciate the beautiful verses of any poet.
I want the best for citizens
Is there going to be another book authored by you similar to My Vision? -Noura Rashid, Saudi Arabia
I do not like to announce any project before it is ready for execution. There are ideas for a new book and I have started to outline its main points.
From your point of view, can poetry fix what is ruined by politics? -Majed Abdel Rahman Al Bastaki, UAE
Poetry revolves around human feelings and emotions, wondering within the soul, trying to discover its peculiarities. Politics, on the other hand, doesn't involve feelings and emotions. It deals with accurate measures, and expresses interests. Politics can change with the change in interests. Thus, poetry can elevate politicians to a higher spiritual state, but it is in no way responsible for fixing the results of politics.
After all you have achieved, what are your dreams? -Sara Abdullah, Sharjah
My dreams have always been to see the UAE more prosperous and flourishing with well-being and happiness of its people. I want to see the UAE as a model of excellence and innovation, leading the way, not only in our region and the Arab World, but in the whole world.
I am confident that we will be able to achieve this because we have been gifted with wise leadership that views people as the real asset of the country. The UAE leadership desires the best for the citizens of the country, works for their interests, and directs all policies, strategies, decisions and projects towards this purpose.
This is what I hope for my country and my people. I also want the best for my brothers in the Arab World and I hope to see the Arab countries as well advancing nations. Just as I am thrilled to see our achievements here in the UAE, I will also be thrilled to see the Arab achievements.
Thanks to Allah, the UAE is always ready to support other countries. The UAE has given the Arab World a successful model of unity, proving that opportunities of co-operation and unified efforts are possible, away from differences.
I've noticed that you keep an eye on every single detail here and elsewhere. You also keep an eye on international and Arab media reports and you are aware of all aspects of the global financial crisis and its impact. How do you manage to follow up on all these and keep yourself updated? How do you find the time for all this? -Khalid Salman, Dubai
First of all, I do communicate with people and live among them. People see me on the streets, in restaurants and in public and social occasions. Second, the UAE is a country based on institutions and we have teams of experts in all areas: Politics, security, economics, social affairs, culture and media. I follow all this through mechanisms of organised and accurate work. I receive reports, studies and analysis on a daily basis - and sometimes more than once a day - from several sources.
It is said that knowledge is power and we live in the information age. In today's world we are more interconnected than ever and we have clearly seen this during the global financial crisis. Therefore, it is crucial for every leader to keep himself updated with what is going on in the world around him, follow on the developments and study their impact on his country. It is a way to read the future, expect new trends, and be prepared to deal with all possible challenges as well as opportunities.
I always encourage government officials to keep themselves abreast with the latest developments. They have to stay alert or they will lose. Also, it is important for officials in charge to have the team spirit; otherwise they will not be able to learn and know everything. A person cannot know all by himself and he needs others to support him and keep him informed.
My question is about the role of children in your life. We saw very beautiful photos online of Your Highness with Al Jalila and Sheikha Fatma bint Mansour. Do you have time to spend with children? What do you think of fathers who don't spend time with their children? -Fatema Ishaq, UAE
Yes, I am always keen to see my child Al Jalila and my grandchild Fatma bint Mansour. I am also keen to visit schoolchildren and children with special needs at their schools whenever I can.
Frankly, I don't think a father will be happy not spending time with his children, though some fathers don't do this. I feel sorry for them because they are losing out on such precious moments. I also do feel sorry for the children who are not given much of their father's love - because this will leave its impact on their personalities in the future.
By Staff Writer
© Emirates Business 24/7 2009
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