Berlin: The Free University of Berlin honoured His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with a gold medal for his pioneering work to promote the modern progress of Dubai and the UAE, and his vision in leading the country towards prosperity and growth, at the end of his two-day visit to Germany.
Shaikh Mohammad said in a speech he delivered at the university after receiving the honour that this award was for all of the UAE, and that he was honoured to receive it.
Shaikh Mohammad talked about the importance of planning and follow up of projects.
He said that the secret to success lies in planning, joint work and strong leadership.
In his improvised speech, Shaikh Mohammad said that he had a military background and that he was a fighter pilot as well.
He said: "I am from the Arabian Peninsula, from the Bani Yas tribe."
Shaikh Mohammad also explained that these desert tribes face a constant challenge, moving constantly in quest of water and grazing land.
"We know the importance of movement, for in the desert you either move or you starve to death, in contrast to people living on river banks. These roaming tribes led the world and spread Islam," he added
"I travelled to the US, Europe and other countries. Thoughts of how attract people to come to my country were very much on my mind. Hence I cultivated a barren land. Trees grew and migrating birds coming from afar started stopping at my small farm," he said.
" Once I met a European family at Jumeirah beach in Dubai. The family consisted of a man, his wife and kids. It was very hot. I asked the man where he came from, and he said from Germany, so I asked him: 'Isn't it too hot here in this burning sun?' The man told me that he loved the sun. I started thinking about tourism. Even the hot sun can be put to use in tourism," said Shaikh Mohammad.
Shaikh Mohammad was referring to the increasing tourism activity in the UAE, where people come to visit from all around the world. Every environment element was put to use for this end, from the sun to the desert. A vibrant tourism industry resulted from Shaikh Mohammad's vision and insight.
Shaikh Mohammad addressed the audience by telling them that "some people think that you have democracy, while we have none in the UAE. That is not correct, we do have a democracy embodied in our Majlis (Council) where the ruler meets the people face to face. He sits at this Majlis and talks to his people and listens to them, they exchange opinions and ideas."
Shaikh Mohammad said that he had seen the late Shaikh Zayed and the late Shaikh Rashid, his father, meet prior to the Federation, where they used to discuss important issues, and sometimes small details about what to do in relation to this issue or that. They continued talking and discussing matters until they agreed upon establishing the Union.
Shaikh Mohammad said: "We have our own democracy, a free nation and people that are free to say what they want." He added: "You cannot convince me to wear your suits in the UAE, while I cannot convince you to wear my dishdasha in Berlin."
Shaikh Mohammad added, "At this Free University, you teach many subjects, and you have a long experience, and I would like to tell you this story from the days when we were establishing Emirates airline. We were told not to establish an airline company, as mega companies in this field were losing profits.
"Today, our airline company is one of the largest companies worldwide. We have the Jebel Ali port, which is one of the largest ports in the region. In the past, giant sea carriers preferred not to download their cargo in our ports and preferred doing so in nearby ports.
"The cargo used to be carried from there, to us, in small cargo boats. We expanded the port. Today, most of the carriers that come to our ports are these giant carriers in particular."
Shaikh Mohammad also said that young leaders are trained in the UAE today. One day Shaikh Mohammad was addressing these leaders and he mentioned a European proverb which said that it is better that lions lead lambs than vice versa.
"What a very bad example. Leaders must teach his followers to be lions," he added,
"When my work team puts together a successful theme and finds me pleased and happy with the accomplishment, they think, OK, we will rest a bit now.
"But I tell them, whenever you wake up in the morning, you have to run, whether you are a lion or a gazelle, both wake up in the jungle and run, one to hunt down a gazelle and the other to escape being captured by the lion.
"In both instances you have to run" he said. "Two years ago, I put together the UAE government as Prime Minister. We were indebted by Dh4 billion. Today, we are no more in debt, we have increased salaries and we are building 40,000 villas for our citizens and other leading free service projects in the areas of education and housing."
Shaikh Mohammad said that he likes a challenge. With no challenges, he feels sad, and that is why he always thinks of education, health, construction and building for his people.
Shaikh Mohammad ended his speech by saying that Dubai and the UAE should be a model for co- existence, in which people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds from all around the world live together in peace and harmony.
He then asked: If Dubai has succeeded in being a place where everyone exists together, why doesn't all the world follow suit?
Shaikh Mohammad received a huge ovation from the audience.
