Nahyan bin Mubarak directs that Sandooq Al Watan Pavilion B"Al Dhafra Festival " A platform for its creators
ABU DHABI, 20 JANUARY / WAM / His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sandooq Al Watan, directed those in charge of the National Identity Caravan in Al Dhafra, that Sandooq Al Watan’s pavilion at the Al Dhafra Book Festival and all other activities be an open platform for creative people, writers and poets from the people of the Al Dhafra region, from its various cities and regions, most notably Liwa, Ghayathi, Al Dhanna, Dalma Island, and Madinat Zayed. Al Mirfa, Al Ruwais, and Al Sila, so that all the activities of the caravan, especially the Fund’s pavilion at the festival, reflect the cultural and creative diversity that the region abounds, and highlights the contributions of its people in the fields of literature, thought, art, and heritage. He stressed that choosing the Al Dhafra region to host these activities reflects the great interest that the wise leadership attaches to developing these regions and enhancing their participation, pointing out that Al Dhafra, with its cultural and historical heritage, and its social diversity, constitutes an ideal environment for embodying the values of national identity. In its original and renewed form.
His Excellency stressed that the National Identity Caravan in the Al Dhafra region represents a unique model in promoting the values of the Emirati national identity, and consolidating the role of the family as the first incubator of identity, capable of transferring the system of national and human values to the current and future generations, in light of a rapidly changing world, and reaching the people of the nation, regardless of their places of residence.
This came after the opening of the activities and initiatives of the National Identity Caravan in Al Dhafra, whether through the Sandooq Al Watan pavilion at the Al Dhafra Book Festival or in other major programs and events hosted by the Family Development Foundation in Madinat Zayed, amid a large turnout from all segments of Al Dhafra society, which reflects the community’s awareness of the importance of national identity, and the keenness of Emirati families, youth, senior citizens and women to interact positively with the programs offered by the caravan, including the Family and Identity Meetings Series and the Tolerance Leaders and National Identity Pioneers programmes. The youth retreat, which focuses on strengthening family and community cohesion, preserves the cultural constants and authentic values of the UAE, and embodies the slogan of the caravan, which is “A cohesive family in a changing world” within the framework of the Fund’s role in strengthening a strong and sustainable national identity.
His Excellency added that the Fund’s pavilion at the Al Dhafra Book Festival focuses, through its activities that last for eight days, on ensuring that each day is dedicated to one of the cities of Al Dhafra to showcase its nature and characteristics and host its poets, creators and youth. He stressed that the caravan is a living embodiment of the profound national vision adopted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” which emphasizes the importance of supporting and caring for the Emirati family as it is the basic foundation for building… Community, the first fortress and the true guarantee of the sustainability of national identity and community cohesion.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak explained that the National Identity Convoy in Al Dhafra comes in the context of the UAE’s celebration of the “Year of the Family,” which gives this initiative an additional national dimension, and confirms the state’s commitment, under its wise leadership, to support the family, enhance its stability, and enable it to perform its pivotal role in building a cohesive and prosperous society, stressing that the role of the Fund of the Nation is not limited to organizing events and activities, but extends to include building community awareness, and empowering individuals, families, and youth, especially school students. And universities, and promoting the culture of national identity, through specific programs targeting various segments of society, and confirming that the Emirati identity is not just affiliation, but rather an integrated system of human values, tolerance, coexistence, and openness to others, along with pride in the authentic values of society, its historical roots, and its symbols.
His Excellency stated that the activities of the National Identity Caravan in Al Dhafra included a series of interactive programs and meetings, including “Family and Identity Meetings” with the participation of more than 50 families that include all generations, such as grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren. This meeting focused on identifying each generation’s vision of the nature of its relationship with other generations, and the value system that governs these relationships. The caravan also presented an intensive training program lasting for three days entitled “Leaders of Tolerance,” presented by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence for the first time. In Al Dhafra, as part of the convoy’s activities, it works to graduate young people and employees capable of contributing to raising awareness of societal values, especially tolerance, coexistence, and human brotherhood.
On the other hand, the training program “Pioneers of National Identity” presented by Sandooq Al Watan witnessed a great turnout from university students, government employees, and young graduates. The program focuses over three days on strengthening national identity among all segments of Emirati society. It is a flexible program that aims to train participants from all segments to be proud of the values and principles inherent in Emirati society, in addition to the “Youth Retreat,” which witnessed wide participation from young people, senior citizens, and women, from various cities in the region, as it gave them the opportunity to express their issues, And their hopes, ambitions, opportunities and challenges facing their local communities, stressing that these meetings represent a space for sincere national dialogue, enhance community participation, and establish the concept of shared responsibility in strengthening national identity and its culture, noting that listening to the voices of youth, senior citizens and women enriches the policies, programs and initiatives that we are keen to present, and makes them more responsive to the needs of society.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak stressed that the participation of senior citizens in the activities of the convoy adds an important dimension, as they carry community memory and life experience, and embody the authentic values on which the UAE was founded, while the participation of young people constitutes a vital element to ensure the continuity of these values and develop them in a way that suits the requirements of the times, stressing that Emirati women were and still are an essential partner in building the family and society, and a major bearer of national identity inside and outside the home.
His Excellency also stressed that the message of the National Identity Caravan, which was carried by the participants from the people of Al Dhafra to their families and communities, focuses on the status of the family, its ability to enhance national belonging, and instill the values of loyalty, work, tolerance, and coexistence in the souls of the children, ensuring the building of generations that are confident in their identity, proud of their homeland, and able to contribute positively to the comprehensive development process of the United Arab Emirates.
For their part, the participants, including poets, innovators, youth and senior citizens from all cities of Al Dhafra, expressed their happiness in participating in the activities of the National Identity Caravan launched by the National Fund for them, appreciating the care and efforts of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak for this type of program that promotes authentic societal values and enables young people and creatives to express their abilities and provide a platform for them to present their creativity.
The list of participants included: Ahlam Al-Saadi, Obaid bin Qathlan Al-Mazrouei, Ismail Al-Hosani, Sheikha Al-Jabri, Fatima Al-Mazrouei, Sanaa Abdul Rahim, Fatima Al-Suwaidi, Dr. Aisha Al-Dhaheri, Fatima Al-Amiri, Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, Dr. Fatima Al-Hammadi, Hazem Muhammad, Maryam Al-Jamal, Hamda Al-Balushi, Tasnim Omran, Yusser Abaji, and Samar Najah, And Muhammad Al-Shehhi, Badr Al-Husseini, Maryam Muhair Al-Ketbi, Badr Al-Husseini, Rashid bin Fatima Al-Mansouri, Nasser Mubarak Al-Mansouri, Ali Bartaa Al-Hamli, and Ali Ahmed Al-Kindi Al-Marar.
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