Development is built on respect for law

A government that respects the law and deals with its people according to the law is a wise government.

Anyone who hates corruption wishes for such a government, that does not encourage or overlook the abuse of power.

In fact, when people know their relations with each other are regulated by law and order and that no one is above the law, they feel safe.

They feel that their lives, money and families are not threatened because they are protected from abuse as much as they are restrained from inflicting harm on others in society.

This is clearly the case in Dubai, where there are many events in history that prove the ruler's keenness to rule in a rightful way and to make his laws an armour against any abuse of power. Needless to say, this is the strong foundation upon which Dubai's development was established, from its beginnings in the late 1800s until today.

Humble beginnings

Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hashr Bin Maktoum was Dubai's ruler between 1897 and 1898, when Dubai was a very small village inhabited by a few divers. During that period, diving for pearls was the main source of livelihood for most inhabitants on both sides of the Arabian Gulf.

We know from history that Shaikh Maktoum had an advanced understanding of commerce. He was ambitious and wanted to raise the status of Dubai among neighbouring cities, which prompted him to send messengers to surrounding areas, asking merchants and professionals to come and live in Dubai. He wanted them to invest their money in trade and develop and finance diving, as well as to build a port in the city, which would turn it into a commercial hub.

The main point Shaikh Maktoum stressed in his invitation was the pledge to protect people's rights. He pledged to guard their money and rights from all violations and assured them that their rights would be protected according to the law.

This pledge by Shaikh Maktoum laid the foundations for development in Dubai — the emirate that offers nothing but goodness to all people.

Thus, Dubai started its development process on the basis of safety and justice, and Shaikh Maktoum's sons and grandsons followed suit in protecting this strong foundation.

People from all over the world flocked to Dubai over the past 100 years to make a living and reap the fruits of the city's development, while Dubai succeeded in overcoming all obstacles and difficulties.

The glory of this beautiful city continues to grow day by day, not only in its distinguished infrastructure and construction, but mainly because of the sovereignty of the law.

Today, Dubai is still a developing success story, thanks to the persistence of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the greatgrandson of Shaikh Maktoum.

Dubai thrives on Shaikh Mohammad's determination to be among the great leaders who run the affairs of their societies according to the law.

Equality

This is simply because Shaikh Mohammad believes that when people feel that the law is upheld, and governs all members of the society equally, they are bound to respect and obey the law.

This will also spread a culture of rightfulness, which views corruption with scorn and contempt and applies strict punishments to those who dare to embezzle public or private funds.

Through Dubai's history and present, we have learnt that the only way to strengthen ourselves against misfortune and continue to overcome any inevitable crisis is to hold strongly to the law. Any weak-willed violators must be questioned and referred to the courts so that justice can run its course.

The awareness we sense in the UAE against any wrongful practices gives us the right to be optimistic, despite the repercussions of the global financial crisis, which spared no one.

The recent law issued by Shaikh Mohammad against corruption stands as evidence that public funds will remain protected, and no leniency will be shown towards those who misbehave.

It is all the proof we need that we are going in the right direction towards our goals, which are not far from reach.

Abdul Ghaffar Hussain is a UAE researcher and writer.