UAE | General
Is national identity being threatened?
Gulf News takes a deeper look at the debate on national identity, its parameters and how Emiratis perceive it.
- By Eman Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor, and Fatma Salem, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:02 May 26, 2008
- Image Credit: Illustration by: Ramachandra Babu/Gulf News
Dubai: Never has UAE society engaged in a debate about its national identity as vigorously as it has this year.
So intense is it that 2008 has been earmarked as National Identity Year. The issue has turned into a debate among various segments of society, with opposing and at times conflicting points of view being expressed.
For many Emiratis it has become an exercise in soul searching - not so much about what has defined the national identity over the decades, but the shape it will be moulded into in the future.
This is not surprising given that UAE society is facing a challenging situation - one that is governed by the forces of rapid development, a demographic imbalance and globalisation. To exist as a minority in one's own country is an issue.
According to analysts, the foreigners living in the UAE has already and will further change and weaken the Emiratis' grip on their sense of national identity.
In a four-part series, Gulf News takes a deeper look at the debate, beginning today with a definition of its parameters and how Emiratis perceive it.
Do you think that the UAE national identity is being threatened? How far is it being affected by different elements such as demographic imbalance, globalisation and the media? What is the best way to address concerns about national identity? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com.
Latest news
- Filipino students, groups attend cultural meet
- For this maestro, it's all about the sound
- Experts can't tell old instruments from new
- Sound of violins
- Facilitators: Helping others find joy
- Volunteers remove garbage from Mamzar beach
- Clean-up campaign set to raise awareness
- Sharjah landmarks bathed in light
- Shaikh Mohammad meets South Korea leader
- New rules for Abu Dhabi buildings
- Four poised to chase their dreams in Dubai
- In the pursuit of happiness
- Get friends on board, zip away with Salik bonus
- Arab advocacy group needs aid
- Dubai hospitals debut life-saving procedure
Community Reports
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
-
Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
In Al Nahda 2, two workers were seen working on the crane boom at a height of 20m without a full body harness or safety net in violation of rules
