Connecting with people

 In a bid to open up lines of direct communication with the citizens and residents of the UAE, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, adopted the open-for-all means of communication — the internet.

Shaikh Mohammad gave new meaning to the direct interaction of a country's leadership with its people. He started by using his official website as Prime Minister, www.uaepm.ae to answer questions posed by press and citizens on the federal government, its strategy, direction and ministers.

In June, Shaikh Mohammad opened his own page on the popular social networking site Facebook www.facebook.com/sheikhmohammed. He first opened a private page, which was flooded by friends' requests and had to be migrated to a public page, which has greater capacity for comments and friends.

As a user-generated content site, Facebook users are able to comment on Shaikh Mohammad's status updates and make virtual friends with him on his unrestricted profile, which allows the general public to view his photo albums, videos, personal information and "poke" him (to get his virtual attention).

"I was brought up in a family that believed in the importance of visionary public service and philanthropy and I have tried to live these values in my everyday life," he wrote in the "About Me" section of his Facebook page.

In July, Shaikh Mohammad joined Twitter, ‘tweeting' under the name HHShkMohd and his account was officially verified by Twitter.

Open sessions

As Prime Minister, Shaikh Mohammad held two e-sessions; one with the media and the other with the general public. Through the online sessions, he replied to questions related to a range of issues from the federal government's strategy, country's status during the global economic crisis, reshuffling of cabinet, to questions related to traffic, how he feels about negative foreign media reports about Dubai, how he raised his children to be responsible individuals and many others.

The answers were published on the website in Arabic and English. The website mentions that the ‘online town hall style meeting will be held regularly to enable journalists, citizens and residents to ask their questions'.

On the website, Shaikh Mohammad said, "Dear Brothers and Sisters, Citizens and Residents: I would like to thank all of you for your interest in communicating with me through the official Prime Minister's Website. It is my sincere hope that our communication will continue to serve the interest of our country and its people.

"I must say that this type of direct communication, though new in format, is not new in principle. It is part of a continuing practice wherein I meet daily with many of my brothers and sisters, citizens of our country, on my visits to government departments and during my field trips across the United Arab Emirates. I also directly communicate with them during official and unofficial occasions, which I attend frequently.

"I view such two-way communications and contacts as extremely valuable."

Seeking public opinion

Through migration to the online networking sites, Shaikh Mohammad got even closer to the general public's opinions, which also led to taking one of the important decisions on a topic that was the talk of the town — whether the academic year should start in Ramadan or after Ramadan.

Opinions started pouring in on Shaikh Mohammad's Facebook page after he posted the question, ‘Should the new academic year start during Ramadan or after the Eid holiday?' The question got huge response and most Facebook users suggested postponing the academic year until after the Eid holidays. The Ministry of Education later announced that the academic year for government schools and private schools that follow the ministry's curriculum would start after the Eid holidays.

Shaikh Mohammad also shared some moments of his family life with Facebook users by posting family photos and photos of his personal moments of leisure. His profile lists his beliefs, hobbies and reading interests.

On Facebook, Shaikh Mohammad uploaded a video of his tour of the Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs. He also uploaded a video clip of his inauguration of the Dubai Metro, in which he said he will travel on the Metro and the biggest challenge following its launch is to persuade people of the UAE to use it.

Shaikh Mohammad had also shared a night shot image of Dubai city taken by NASA.

On Twitter, Shaikh Mohammad has been updating "followers" on his life in 140-character messages. The tweets include details of the horse races he has attended, decrees he issued and other updates.

By joining Twitter, Shaikh Mohammad joined the list of high-profile tweeters which includes US president Barack Obama, British actor Stephen Fry and Tour de France cyclist Lance Armstrong.