An example for others to follow

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, addressed the 'media bombardment' about Dubai last Saturday, stressing that the nation is beyond speculation, and that whatever belongs to one emirate is the rightful property of the other.

President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, exemplified his goodwill as well, while he toured Dubai's landmarks a few weeks ago, stressing the firmness of the tree of the union and the collective efficacy of national achievement.

The Emirates share a very unique history; they all have ties, some of families and some of trade. One thing that remains prevalent in the relationship of all the emirates, even prior to the establishment of the union, as opposed to the rest of the Gulf, is the inter-connection between all of them. Even before the establishment of the federation, people from one emirate would move easily to another. So the situation prevailing then itself laid the foundation for the formation of the Union, which was finally established in 1971.

The UAE has achieved in 30 years, with God's grace, what took other countries 300 years to achieve. It was only possible because of the strong familial, trade, cultural and friendly ties that bind all the seven emirates, and their culture of sharing.

The UAE is a country with a rich culture. The leadership and the people have their goals and aspirations set hand in hand, where achievement comes naturally.

Let us not forget Prophet Ebrahim's prayer to Allah upon his arrival to the southern peninsula: "O our Lord I have made some of my offspring dwell in a valley with no cultivation, by your Sacred House in order, O our Lord that they may offer prayer perfectly. So fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and O Allah, provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks."

The nation stands strong, more than any time in its history. Words fail to describe the status and the way things are unfolding in the UAE. History has proved to be a good friend of our fledging union, and our leadership is intact with its people. The UAE has a long held tradition of open door policy, where any citizen can visit his shaikh, and where the shaikh wholeheartedly provides for the nation.

The tribal system has proved to be strong. It easily blends with the financial markets and the international order. The leadership of this proud country and its people must be saluted. The question of tomorrow, brings even more uncertainty. Do we swing left or perhaps right this time. Or perhaps neither.

Let us test the tribal system in the context of world order. How would it be? Could the late US president Woodrow Wilson have substituted it for the League of Nations, or would Winston Churchill use it in describing it as a system that endures better than others, given what is happening in the UAE. Or will the Arab League use it as an example of how Arab states should prepare themselves and face their future.

Mohammad Faisal Al Qasimi is a recent graduate of the American University of Sharjah.

The author is very much right in accentuating on the fact that what other Nations could not do in 300 years was done by UAE in mere 30 years. So also the people from the other parts of the Globe that are earning their livelihood here consider UAE to be the best and the safest place in the World. We must not withhold the praise that the UAE deserves. I wish from the core of my heart that UAE should reach greater heights in its task of spearheading other countries.
T. S. Murthy
Dubai,U.A.E.
Posted: April 25, 2009, 15:18