Abu Dhabi: A nationwide initiative titled ‘Express your Love for UAE’ will be launched on Wednesday.
The initiative, which will include 45 expressions of love for the UAE, was conceptualised by the Khalifa Empowerment Programme for Students (Aqdar) to coincide with preparations for 45th National Day on December 2.
“This initiative embraces a new vision that aims to deepen effective communication across the many aspects of the UAE community, citizens and residents, providing them with the opportunity to express their sincere love and loyalty to the UAE,” said Col Dr Ebrahim Al Dabal, General Coordinator of Aqdar.
Infographic: "45 ways to ‘Express your Love for UAE"
Forty-five messages will be selected at the closing ceremony of the initiative, which will coincide with 45th National Day, and those 45 entities or people, from 45 different nationalities, who contributed them will be awarded.
Awards will be given for the most creative, impactful, heartfelt and symbolic expressions of love, whether represented through literary creations, poetry, street art and advertisements.
The award categories include an award for best participation from an embassy or organisations in the UAE, best participation from Emirati youth living abroad, best literature work, best cultural production, best Arab nation to express its love for the UAE and best street advertisement on the love of the UAE.
Emiratis living abroad can also participate and not miss out on the celebrations, as they can submit their expressions of love.
Al Dabal said that the goal of Aqdar’s initiative is to enable everyone — tourists, private and public sector employees and students — to demonstrate their love for the UAE’s leadership in their own unique way through a variety of mediums and to document and publish them.
People can participate through the initiative’s website, mobile phone application, participation boxes distributed across several locations in the country, as well as field visits.
Different activities will also be held across the UAE, with public and private schools and universities participation, as well as shopping malls.
A specially designed interactive globe will also highlight the humanitarian work and aid provided by the UAE, and will encourage participation of members of the community.
“We will be organising activities such as sports days, poetry forums and art gatherings. We will also be honouring the longest standing expatriates in the country for their loyalty and dedication,” Col Al Dabal said.
Adding that they aim to enhance communication channels between members of the community and various state institutions, and increase societal awareness of the humanitarian and developmental roles the UAE on both regional and international levels.
“The initiative is a message of love and peace, and an invitation to all citizens to show their patriotic feelings towards the UAE and its leadership,” he said.
Adding that it is also an extension and representation of Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision and approach, which is rooted in limitless love, loyalty and devotion to this great nation — a nation which is now synonymous with greatness, earning the respect of other nations with its pride and dignity.
45 expressions
The initiative will include 45 expressions of love for the UAE in celebration of 45th National Day.
44 ways are already outlined. For number 45, the initiative invites people to participate positively, and express their love for the UAE in their own style.
1 To sacrifice my life in allegiance to the Emirates and to protect the independence of its territory.
2 To defend the nation and make it a sacred duty within myself.
3 To respect the Emirates’ constitution, laws, culture and traditions.
4 To know the history of the UAE leaders and owe them my love and loyalty.
5 To learn from the UAE leaders how to develop civilisation, hope and happiness in the heart of the residents.
6 To learn the history of the UAE, its achievements and its role in the world, both past and present.
7 To learn how the UAE and its leaders love all the people in the world.
8 To be transparent and cooperative with all the different institutions of the country, in order to sustain security and stability.
9 To join national celebrations and spread the national spirit and belonging in myself and others
10 To speak the Arabic language, and master the local dialect and try to teach people who don’t speak it.
11 To refrain from spreading rumors and incorrect information through all media and social media platforms.
12 To only take information from verified sources.
13 To preserve the UAE’s resources and to work towards developing them.
14 To work on consolidating the UAE’s excellence and its role as a leading country.
15 To not tarnish the UAE’s reputation by negative behaviour abroad.
16 To not behave inappropriately or in a manner that troubles others and reflects negatively on the UAE’s image.
17 To not interfere in other people’s business or breach their privacy, and help promote the culture of peace that already exists in the UAE.
18 To preserve public property and public money, and advice others not to misuse them, and demonstrate that it is the duty of each citizen or resident to preserve them.
19 To use the internet and social media platforms positively safely and securely, in accordance with the law.
20 To respect my parents, honour them and to work towards their happiness, and love all the members of my family.
21 To respect my teachers, love my school, respect my colleagues, and strive to excel at my studies
22 To do voluntary work and help others to promote the UAE’s charitable and humanitarian spirit.
23 To be fully ready when the duty calls in times of disasters and distress.
24 To be proud of my country and to participate in its military and humanitarian efforts righto make the world a better place, and helping those in need.
25 To be proud of the nation protectors, and to instill in myself and others that being a soldier is an honor,a pride and a glory to all of us.
26 To help people with disabilities and offer them all kind of support, and consider them a crucial part of society.
27 To advise my friends on the dangers of bad habits; such as violence and abusing one another.
28 To advise my friends about the dangers of drugs, substance abuse and smoking.
29 To respect other people’s traditions and culture.
30 To be careful, and holding on and spreading the country’s religious and ideological views, and resist ideological and religious extremists.
31 To work on building a career that will serve my country.
32 To conserve water and electricity, and to support the UAE in developing the renewable energy industry.
33 To be conscious about the importance of savings and investments, and to be economically responsible in order to support the UAE’s economy.
34 To take pride of the UAE flag everywhere and work on lifting it wherever I was and invest in all the different events to enhance the position of the UAE flag
35 To protect the environment, and support recycling operations.
36 To know that my only duty and reference is my country, represented in the leadership of the nation and the laws in all of its specialisation.
37 To respect and cherish all my family members.
38 To positively engage in social media, in order to interact with different members of society.
39 To read and utilize my knowledge to serve the UAE.
40 To be sincere, dedicated and professional in my life.
41 To avoid any suspicious or unlawful gatherings.
42 To protect myself and my family, and not give away any information to a non--‐official entity.
43 To learn innovative and creative skills, that can benefit the UAE community.
44 To learn problem solving and decision making skills.
People can express their love for UAE through...
Website: loveforUAE.com
App: LoveforUAE
Field visits
You can also follow the initiaive on social media (facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and by using the hashtag #LoveforUAE
