When young Emiratis describe what it means to be a son or daughter of the UAE it is with an overwhelming sense of pride in their culture, traditions, leaders and faith. The country's leaders and professionals in waiting are generally positive about their futures and opportunities as the UAE makes giant leaps in development. As the UAE advances, young women, too, speak optimistically about their opportunities in education and role as leaders and professionals.

However, there are issues that cause concern among Emirati youth. They include the growing expatriate population, Western influences, losing touch with Emirati culture and dwindling emphasis on the Arabic language.

UAE National Day

Mohammad Al Awadi, president of the Student Council at Dubai Men's College (DMC), is active in organising National Day celebrations on campus. "This day is important because it's close to our hearts. It represents the UAE as a whole and is a reason for us to feel proud," he said.

Marwan Al Merri, a first-year business student at DMC, said he is looking forward to National Day because it brings Emiratis together. "We also represent ourselves and our culture to people from other nationalities in the UAE as well as people outside the country," he said.

"This is the day the UAE was established and it makes me feel proud. The UAE gives us everything, and in return we study and work hard — all for our country," said Masha'al Mohammad, a DMC engineering student.

"Words can't describe this day," said Abdul Rahman Al Beshri, a DMC business student. "We celebrate but we can't show enough appreciation for what the country is doing for us. The various opportunities and career exhibitions to help us find jobs and give us the chance to study are enough to show what is being done."

"This is the beginning of a new year and something to look forward to," said Abdullah Ahmad. "I'm proud that 37 years later we are only going forward."

"It's a chance for us to portray and express our nationality and our feelings and love for our country," said American University of Sharjah accounting student Wid Al Mazam.

"It's a day when we go back in history and celebrate the year in which all the emirates united as one country," said Sharif Al Hashemi. "It's a day in which we celebrate our great achievements for the past 30 years and our coming together as brothers and sisters."

Faisal Al Saffar, a recent graduate of DMC, reminisced about the country's achievements and praised the efforts of the leadership that have led to the country's amazing progress. "I think of the national history of the UAE, what our grandfathers did for us and what they went through to make our country what it is today," he said. "It's the coming together of all the Emirates, with one hand and one heart."

Students celebrate National Day in various ways, either through on-campus activities or by taking part in the maseera on the streets. They all, however, celebrate the day with their loved ones.

National pride

"I am a son of this country; I was born in the UAE and I love to feel the sand in my hands," said DMC student Amin Ahmad Ali.

For Humaid Ali Khalfan Shuka, 18, being an Emirati is an "honour". It's a feeling you get inside that you want to give more for your country, he said.

"National identity is not only belonging to the land and the state. It is a feeling you get that your country is with you and you carry it wherever you go in this world," said Salha Saleh, information technology student at Al Ain Women's College (AAWC).

Amal Ameel, a computer engineering student at AUS, said being a UAE national is about the way you live, the way you speak and deal with others, even how you eat. "It's how we cling to our culture and traditions."

Many students shared Amal's opinion on what defines national identity, saying that at the end of the day all UAE nationals are "like family".

"A UAE national means someone who is my brother or sister. They share my values and traditions," said AUS mechanical engineering student Mohannad Al Ali.

Students asserted that the key to sustaining national pride and identity is inculcating it at the grassroots. "Universities should hold various activities that celebrate national identity and help students to renew their sense of nationality," said Al Ali.

"I believe people should be educated about our heritage and culture so that they fully understand it and they can share this knowledge with others," added Gazi Al Janahi, a recent graduate from DMC.

Contributing to the country

For many young Emiratis, national identity is not only about belonging and holding Emirati nationality; it is also about contribution. Many of the students surveyed by Notes said they have a strong desire to help their country advance.

"To show that I am from the UAE and that I belong to this nation I have to work, accomplish and do something to make the country better. It could be in trade, education or anything," said AAWC student Sameera Al Zubaidi.

A student at the American University in Dubai, Ahmad Al Mulla, said: "Our role, to support national identity, is to be the ones who accomplish goals in our country and to be responsible for the advancements taking place."

Eman Al Dowaila, AAWC business student, said: "National identity is a belonging I show through my acts, education and accomplishments."

"The government supports us in different ways. We know we are supported by the government and the country. It's good to feel that there are people behind us," said DMC student Mohammad Khalfan Salim.

However, Al Awadi said that there are certain things that could be improved. He cited job placement as one of them.

"I worry about job placement because I would like to see Emiratis work in all positions instead of being picky and fearing certain tasks."

Women's role

Emirati women say that never before have they been allowed so many opportunities to access education and further their ambitions in the UAE. From being able to pursue secondary school education right through to bachelor's and master's degrees, they are optimistic about the roles they can play in advancing the country.

However, some women express a concern that though doors are being opened to them, cultural barriers still exist that prevent them from pursuing careers and fields of study not deemed appropriate.

Fatima Atah, information technology student at AAWC, said she has the passion to contribute but also wants to prove her role as a woman.

"I am an Emirati, but what did I do for my country? I have a nationality, but what did I contribute to my country? This is stating national identity. As a student, I try to work for women in the UAE. The men do enough but the women need to do more, and this is what I try to do," she said.

Contributing to the country is one side of the coin; feeling like the government is supporting the youth is another.

Students said the support they receive from their government puts them at an advantage.

Reem Saeed Khammas, a recent graduate with a bachelor's of education from the Higher Colleges of Technology's (HCT) Fujairah Women's College, describes the role of women in education as a "need" rather than a "demand".

"Women are part of this country and this civilisation and so are naturally an essential part of its growth," she said.

"Right now, half the population, men, are dominant in the industry. If the other half of the population work and use their abilities to the greatest potential then we will be much more effective as a society," she added.

Although most women speak optimistically about increased education opportunities, some say they are still hindered by cultural barriers. Shamsa Al Sharif, a recent graduate from Dubai Women's College (DWC), said opportunities abounded but culture prevented female students from pursuing the majors they wanted.

The graduate who studied media production now works at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

"The country is giving women a lot of chances but they can't do any major they want. They can't go abroad to do what they love because they have to please their parents."

Shamsa said majors such as tourism, and even medical studies, were frowned upon by families who don't allow their daughters to study them. Families also prevented girls from studying at campuses far away from the family.

Preserving the culture

Despite the global environment in the UAE, the influences of various cultures and traditions, students said preserving their own culture is of utmost importance. This manifests itself through their national dress, values and loyalty to the country, among other issues.

Noor Kamali, international studies student at AAWC, said: "Being an Emirati represents who you are, your country, your history and everything Shaikh Zayed tried to achieve. It is building a nationality and a culture, wearing the national costumes and preserving our values."

"Our national identity lies in our behaviour, in the way we maintain our traditions and culture... I try to where my kandoora (the national dress for men) whenever I can. Everything is good in moderation – I believe an intercultural community is important for progress as we can all learn things from each other," said Khalid Al Abduli, an AUS chemical engineering student.

Matters of concern?

The globalisation of the country and its dependence on expatriates is an issue that weighs heavily on students' minds. Many said Emiratis should shoulder more work.

"Sometimes I feel there are a lot of nationalities, the population is rising and the percentage of national people is very low. Mixing and meeting other people make young people forget culture. Exposure to other cultures like the Western culture sometimes makes us forget our own," said Mohammad Khalfan Salim, a DMC student.

This did not give Humaid Ali Khalfan Shuka a reason to be worried. "I'm not worried about traditions being lost because all the shaikhs are concentrating on tradition. In addition, the media have programmes on tradition. I'm kind of worried about religion because of television and the internet – they are not in line with Islamic values," he said.

His colleague, Mohammad Swaidan, said: "I don't think we're losing our traditions because every year we have projects to maintain our culture, architecture, museums, heritage festivals. I'm worried about the population. I think the Emirati people are becoming less. Every year they open new companies and they need people from outside."

Amal Ameel of AUS said foreigners coming into the UAE do not have much of an effect on UAE nationals. "You might spot an effect in other countries in the Gulf, but people here tend to cling to their traditions despite the number of foreigners coming from outside," she said.

AUS student Kholoud Al Harmoudi said foreigners would not negatively impact the country "as long as the UAE keeps inculcating its culture in its people. Kids should be taught from the very beginning about the country, its heritage, culture and language. Schools and universities should appreciate the culture and host events and activities relating to the UAE, especially on days like National Day."

Muhannad Al Ali, a mechanical engineering at AUS, said it is good to have people coming into the country. "I feel they have the same love for our country as we do, and are as much a part of it as we are. It's a chance for us to reach out and share our culture with the world."

Mohammad Khalfan Salim at DMC said Western influences in terms of various media, television, radio and the internet could pose a threat to traditional values but not to his Islamic faith "because we have it in ourselves, in our hearts". He added: "But the traditional way of life and influence of other nationalities affects our culture and thinking."

By Amelia Naidoo and Maysam Ali, Notes Staff Reporters

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