A unique community development programme aims to make all expatriates feel they are part and parcel of the progress made by the UAE.
"We are not just Burj Al Arab.We are not concrete and stone.We want to add a human touch to the phenomenal material development that has taken place in this country," said Mohammed Baharoon, deputy coordinator general of Watani, (which means "My Homeland"). "Man is the real value," he added.
The official attributed the lack of awareness about the role of the programme to the inefficient cooperation extended by the local media.
However, Baharoon said a particular stress is now being laid on enlightening the public about the nature of the programme's activities.
"We would like to see a more constructive approach from the media," he added.
Watani's officials say that one does not have to be a UAE citizen to feel attached to the progress made in their country of residence.
"You do not have to be a bearer of UAE passport. Expatriates should feel they are part of the development that has taken place here. In reality, they are part of it.They contributed to making the UAE a success story," said Ahmed Obeid Al Mansoori, Watani Coordinator General.
The programme, initiated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, seeks to enhance national identity in UAE citizens and demonstrate it to visitors and expatriates.
"We want national identity to be clear and become a link between the accomplishments of the development process of the UAE, on the one hand, and the originality and good-heartedness of the UAE society," said Baharoon.
The UAE has been openminded in its multi-ethnicity. There are some 200 nationalities living in the country.
Educational, entertainment, sports and media activities are being implemented by Watani.
"When the TV ad says: 'Watani is me', it actually means every one living on this land, UAE citizens and expatriates," said Baharoon.
He said the logo of the programme the fingerprint has been carefully selected to stress the role of Watani.
"It highlights the value of work and achievement. The homeland comes into being by the achievements of the people and is not just a geographical entity. The awareness campaigns underline the importance of individual contributions in the building of society and the acceptance of variation, using it as a point of strength.
"Whether our fingerprints are red, green, black or white, they all represent the flag of the UAE. No effort is underestimated, as all efforts contribute to the national tapestry to make it strong, despite its variations," said Baharoon.
Watani has a number of dedicated divisions, one of which is aimed at empowering women professionally and socially. Another programme is Thaqafat Watani (Watani Culture) which seeks to raise cultural standards in society. Thaqafat Watani also produces television programmes that associate the achievements of the country with the people.
Watani organized an iftar dinner for more than 4,000 construction workers on September 29, attended by Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour and a number of senior officials.
Al Mansoori said: "Ramadan is a time for families to get together. It is also the time for us to strengthen our link with the people who help build our country. Through the weekly iftar meals, we hope to express our respect and appreciation to the unknown soldiers of development." The weekly iftar dinners are held each Friday during Ramadan at a different labor camps in the UAE.
Homeland missionGlobalization has made the world a smaller place, but has also made Dubai, and the UAE, a bigger place. So the community development programme has stepped up efforts to protect the UAEs national identity from melting down.
Ahmed Obeid Al Mansoori, the programmes co-ordinator general, said the success made by the UAE in becoming a cosmopolitan centre attracting visitors, residents and investors worldwide, necessitated a special programme to offset the negative impact of globalisation.
The success made by the UAE requires the achievement of a parallel success in asserting the concept of good citizenship and the preserving the intrinsic features of the homeland, he said, adding that it is imperative to safeguard distinguished identity in a world that is now increasingly threatening to national identities.
By Hakam Kherallah
Emirates Today 2006
