Abu Dhabi: UAE made history in the Arab world by electing the first woman Speaker to its parliament as the 16th legislative chapter of the Federal National Council (FNC) opened here on Wednesday.
“Emirati women have been great leaders and great achievers, establishing significant regional and global presence for themselves and the UAE,” tweeted His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, soon after the election of Dr Amal Al Qubaisi as the FNC Speaker.
The UAE is stronger and more stable than ever despite the prevailing situation in the region, Shaikh Mohammad said at the opening ceremony of the Federal National Council’s (FNC) 16th Legislative Chapter on Wednesday.
The ceremony was organised under the patronage of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
After the rendition of the UAE national anthem, Shaikh Mohammad inspected the Guard of Honour.
Shaikh Mohammad, while speaking on behalf of Shaikh Khalifa, said: “Brothers and sisters, the 16th Legislative Chapter begins today as our country is stronger and more stable than ever.
“In the name of Allah, we open the session and congratulate our people and its leadership on the occasion. I wish you good luck to enhance pillars of the Union laid by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the founding fathers, Supreme Council Members, Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates.”
Shaikh Mohammad said: “The UAE is proud of its martyrs and raises the UAE flag, the symbol of victory, up high. It is now important more than ever to instil the sense of patriotism and loyalty to this country amid the ongoing situations in the world.”
The Vice-President added that the FNC session coincided with circumstances and challenges in which the country has become stronger and there is more coherence between the people and the leadership.
Praise for Armed Forces
He also praised the the UAE Armed Forces’ acts of heroism, embodied in their national achievements and called on FNC members to act as a link between the government and citizens. “Our beloved country preserves its national gains through sacrifices of its brave Armed Forces,” he said.
Wishing the FNC members luck in serving the homeland, Shaikh Mohammad called on them to be committed to their national duty and serve their country and their community.
At the end of his speech, Shaikh Mohammad pointed out that a historic achievement in the UAE and the region was also witnessed yesterday with the election of Dr Amal Al Qubaisi as the first woman speaker of the FNC.
Rulers attend
The event was attended by Their Highness Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, including Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi of Sharjah, Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman, Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah, Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla of Umm Al Quwain and Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi of Fujairah.
Upon her uncontested election as the first woman FNC Speaker, Dr Al Qubaisi said: “I am honoured to congratulate, on behalf of my colleagues, the leaders of the UAE on the inauguration of the 16th Legislative Chapter of the FNC. Today we continue the journey of the FNC that includes some of the best individuals of the country, as elected by the people, hand in hand to accomplish a common goal,” she said.
Al Qubaisi proceeded to thank everybody who had personally supported her throughout her political career.
Twenty members were elected to the FNC on October 3, and a further 20 were appointed on Monday, including eight women. As per the council’s agenda, a First Deputy and Second Deputy Speaker were elected. They are: Marwan Ahmad Ali Khalifa Bin Galita with 21 votes and Abdul Aziz Abdullah Salem Al Zaabi with 21 votes out of 39.
Bin Galita, an FNC member from Dubai, said during his nomination: “I turn 43 next week, almost the same age as the Union. I have a Masters’ Degree in Business Administration and this is my second term at the Council.
“I care about discussing the matters important to the people of the UAE. During my participation at the FNC, I have contributed to issues such as the Schengen visa for Emiratis ... and conducting early check-ups for Emiratis, as is being done by the Ministry of Health. I would like to be a participant in driving the FNC towards success.”
Speech by oldest member
Al Zaabi is a graduate of the University of California and was a member of the Civil Aviation Authority. He also served as a member of the Advisory Board of the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah.
After reading the decree, Majid Hamad Al Shamsi, the oldest among the FNC members, delivered a speech stressing the commitment of FNC to the directives of the wise leadership aimed at promoting the role of the FNC to enable it to serve the nation and Emiratis.
Dignitaries
The opening ceremony was also attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance; Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Shaikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah and Shaikh Rashid Bin Saud Bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Qawain.
Also present were Shaikh Surour Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor; Lt. General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister and Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development.
— With inputs from WAM
