Dubai: The UAE’s cultural heritage is key to its prosperity, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said during a Ramadan Majlis here on Wednesday.
Shaikh Mohammad said the country’s cultural heritage is an important factor in achieving its unique ambitions, adding that it can inspire innovative and creative approaches to ensuring the happiness of its people. He stressed the importance of preserving the country’s cultural heritage and helping the new generation deepen its understanding of the country’s past.
“History is full of lessons, and those who grasp its lessons hold the key to the future,” he said. “We want our youth to read our history, and be aware of the glories of the past while also being aware of the latest scientific advances in various fields in order to maintain the UAE’s leading position among nations.”
Shaikh Mohammad called on the youth to maintain a strong connection with the country’s culture and traditions, which will help strengthen national unity and inspire them to lead the nation to greater heights.
The awareness of the country’s heritage will help the youth further reinforce their sense of belonging to the country and motivate them to uphold the glory of their forefathers, he added.
“We are working to build a civilisation that will create a strong heritage for future generations. We seek to equip our youth with the knowledge that will allow them to add new chapters not only to the history of the UAE but also to humanity’s journey of progress,” he said.
He also highlighted the role of education in ensuring the new generation has a strong connection to its history and origins. His remarks came during a gathering organised by the Dubai Press Club titled ‘Saroug Al Hadeed’ as part of the Ramadan Majlis held in Qasr Al Bahr.
The gathering was also attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council; Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline & Group; Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation; and Shaikh Mansour Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Mona Al Marri, director-general of the Government of Dubai Media Office and Chairperson of Dubai Press Club, was also present at the gathering.
The event was hosted by Dr Eid Al Yahya, presenter of ‘In the Footsteps of the Arabs’ — a programme broadcast by Al Arabiya news channel. Speaking at the gathering, he highlighted the importance of the archeological site of Sarug Al Hadeed, which was discovered 14 years ago by Shaikh Mohammad during one of his visits to the area.
Dr Yahya highlighted the historic importance of the Sarug Al Hadeed site, which is considered one of the most significant archaeological sites on the Arabian Peninsula due to the number of ancient artefacts that have been discovered there. The objects discovered in the area, such as gold ornaments, weapons, pottery and other items, reveal the civilisational wealth of the region thousands of years ago.
Dr Yahya praised the strong connection that the UAE maintains with its origins and heritage, which is expressed in initiatives such as the Expo 2020 logo whose design was inspired by a 4,000-year-old ring discovered at the Sarug Al Hadeed site.
According to the Saudi researcher, the Sarug Al Hadeed site clearly shows that Dubai is a land that has connected people and civilisations from ancient times.
