Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Saturday attended the “Journey of Happiness” event on the Dubai Water Canal.
The event was organised by the National Programme for Happiness and Positivity under the supervision of the Minister of State for Happiness to mark the International Day of Happiness Day.
Shaikh Mohammad toured the event’s venue, accompanied by Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, Ohoud Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness, and Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director General of the Dubai Protocol and Hospitality Department.
The event featured educational and art activities that saw children, along with their families from various nationalities and cultural backgrounds, taking part.
Shaikh Mohammad said: “I am happy to see these children along with their families and ommunity members from all ages and different cultures interacting with the event and enjoying it, with smiles on their faces. These are very interesting human moments amid those people looking for happiness, joy and living and social stability.”
Shaikh Mohammad expressed his delight over the diversity of people attending the event, which is held for the first time in the UAE and greatwe region.
“Happiness is a human value and the UAE leadership is working to generalise this value and entrench it as lifestyle for all members of the Emirati society,” the Vice President said.
Shaikh Mohammad listened to a lecture given by Dr Robert Waldinger, Director of the Happiness Programme at the US Harvard University. He talked about three important lessons learned from his 75-year old study on happiness and on adult development as well as some practical, old-as-the-hills wisdom on how to build a fulfilling, long life.
Shaikh Mohammad praised the efforts of the Ministry of State for Happiness and Uhoud Al Roumi’s work team.
