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Discuss this article (27 Comments)All UAE pupils must sing national anthem - Ministry
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Wednesday, 02 September 2009
FLYING FLAG: All UAE schools will fly the UAE flag starting this school term. (Getty Images)
All pupils at public and private schools in the UAE will have to sing the country’s national anthem every morning in a move to boost the “spirit of nationalism and patriotism”, according to education chiefs.
From the start of the 2009/2010 academic year, all schools will also have to fly the UAE national flag, said a circular issued by Minister of Education, Humaid Al-Qattami, reported news agency WAM.
The circular urged all educational zones and councils in the country to take the necessary measures to enforce the new decision, which is in line with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai.
The decision, it added, was aimed at boosting the identity of the students by instilling in them the spirit of nationalism and patriotism.
READERS' COMMENTS
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Omar
Posted by Amira Smith, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 8 September 2009 at 17:30 UAE time
This is now off-topic, but bear with me. Omar, the latest Gallup poll (of April 09) showed that 77 percent of Americans identify themselves with some form of Christian religion. Newsweek found 62 percent of Americans believe theirs to be a Christian nation (down from 69 percent last year, but still a sizeable majority). I think therefore your claim that the US is not "AT ALL" a Christian nation might be misplaced. (Might I also point you to its stem cell laws and their restrictions on abortion, both of which have their roots in Christian beliefs -leaving aside whether you agree with them or not - as examples of how religion influences law in an apparently secular country.) Not sure what your point is re: Obama, since he isn't a Muslim.
My original question to Abu Ali was simply because I am curious as to why he believe non-Muslims shouldn't be granted citizenship. I still don't feel he has explained that to me. If non-Muslims are prepared to abide by the laws of the UAE (and frankly, there are many Muslims and Emiratis that don't) why the bar if, hypothetically speaking, citizenship were ever opened up in the way seen in Europe and the US. It just smacks of discrimination - he would be the first person objecting to Muslim women being told not to wear the burqa in France - a secular country - so why is the same not applicable in reverse? Still interested to hear his reasoning. (Or yours, Omar, since you are so keen to weigh in.)
Posted by Amira Smith, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 8 September 2009 at 17:30 UAE time
This is now off-topic, but bear with me. Omar, the latest Gallup poll (of April 09) showed that 77 percent of Americans identify themselves with some form of Christian religion. Newsweek found 62 percent of Americans believe theirs to be a Christian nation (down from 69 percent last year, but still a sizeable majority). I think therefore your claim that the US is not "AT ALL" a Christian nation might be misplaced. (Might I also point you to its stem cell laws and their restrictions on abortion, both of which have their roots in Christian beliefs -leaving aside whether you agree with them or not - as examples of how religion influences law in an apparently secular country.) Not sure what your point is re: Obama, since he isn't a Muslim.
My original question to Abu Ali was simply because I am curious as to why he believe non-Muslims shouldn't be granted citizenship. I still don't feel he has explained that to me. If non-Muslims are prepared to abide by the laws of the UAE (and frankly, there are many Muslims and Emiratis that don't) why the bar if, hypothetically speaking, citizenship were ever opened up in the way seen in Europe and the US. It just smacks of discrimination - he would be the first person objecting to Muslim women being told not to wear the burqa in France - a secular country - so why is the same not applicable in reverse? Still interested to hear his reasoning. (Or yours, Omar, since you are so keen to weigh in.)
OFFENDED HYPOCRITES
Posted by Raed, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 5 September 2009 at 12:35 UAE time
Those who do not like the decisions made by the rulers of the country, then why do not they go back to their home countries where they can sign their national anthem only.
Obviously, the majority of foreigners (and I am a foreigner) will stay here as long as they are making money more than what they could make in their own countries. The vast majority of foreigners are enjoying taking loans from local banks with almost no guarantee to use it to build or buy a home in their own countries. All foreigners are enjoying the TAX free income. The moment all of this would change, they would leave the country without regret and without looking back. In fact, many of them left the country without paying their loans!
UAE is the only country I know (and I lived in many countries) that allows a foreigner to sponsor a visit visa for a friend and obtain it within less than an hour. Moreover, the moment this friend finds a job, then he can stay and work legally without any problem.
Most countries do not allow an expat who obtained its citizenship to sponsor his own father or mother to come and live with him, and if they do, then it would take years and I am not exaggerating here. Which country in the world would allow children who were born in it, and lived for decades to stay and enjoy the bounties of the country without even bothering to learning its language.
Many foreigners would not accept their countries to give as much facilities as UAE is giving to the expats here, but surprisingly when UAE wants to post its national image, through the national Anthem or else, all of those expat hypocrites feel offended !!
To those hypocrites I say: Just back up your luggage, leave the country, and give a chance to a new expat to come here and work without making a big fuss out of this matter (do not forget to pay your credit cards and banks loans before leaving).
To the decisions makers in UAE, please do more to boost the identity of your country; it is not only your right, but also your duty to your grandchildren.
Posted by Raed, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 5 September 2009 at 12:35 UAE time
Those who do not like the decisions made by the rulers of the country, then why do not they go back to their home countries where they can sign their national anthem only.
Obviously, the majority of foreigners (and I am a foreigner) will stay here as long as they are making money more than what they could make in their own countries. The vast majority of foreigners are enjoying taking loans from local banks with almost no guarantee to use it to build or buy a home in their own countries. All foreigners are enjoying the TAX free income. The moment all of this would change, they would leave the country without regret and without looking back. In fact, many of them left the country without paying their loans!
UAE is the only country I know (and I lived in many countries) that allows a foreigner to sponsor a visit visa for a friend and obtain it within less than an hour. Moreover, the moment this friend finds a job, then he can stay and work legally without any problem.
Most countries do not allow an expat who obtained its citizenship to sponsor his own father or mother to come and live with him, and if they do, then it would take years and I am not exaggerating here. Which country in the world would allow children who were born in it, and lived for decades to stay and enjoy the bounties of the country without even bothering to learning its language.
Many foreigners would not accept their countries to give as much facilities as UAE is giving to the expats here, but surprisingly when UAE wants to post its national image, through the national Anthem or else, all of those expat hypocrites feel offended !!
To those hypocrites I say: Just back up your luggage, leave the country, and give a chance to a new expat to come here and work without making a big fuss out of this matter (do not forget to pay your credit cards and banks loans before leaving).
To the decisions makers in UAE, please do more to boost the identity of your country; it is not only your right, but also your duty to your grandchildren.
To Rashed
Posted by Dan, Stockholm, Sweden on Thursday 3 September 2009 at 15:41 UAE time
It’s good to see reasonable people like Rashed. It’s about showing a little respect, that’s all. UAE don’t demand expats singing the national anthem. It’s just like many other countries where they play the anthem in schools. As Rashed says, don’t jump to conclusions.
Posted by Dan, Stockholm, Sweden on Thursday 3 September 2009 at 15:41 UAE time
It’s good to see reasonable people like Rashed. It’s about showing a little respect, that’s all. UAE don’t demand expats singing the national anthem. It’s just like many other countries where they play the anthem in schools. As Rashed says, don’t jump to conclusions.
To Amira Smith
Posted by Abu Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Thursday 3 September 2009 at 14:26 UAE time
Dear Amira, the US is a Christian majority and not a Christian country. They call themselves a secular country. The UAE is an Islamic country with laws derived from Islam so there is no comparison.
Btw, the UAE already grant citizenship to non-Emiratis, as much as 40% or even more aren't native Emirati nationals. The UAE is already flooded with them so no thank you, no for granting the citizenship for more.
Posted by Abu Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Thursday 3 September 2009 at 14:26 UAE time
Dear Amira, the US is a Christian majority and not a Christian country. They call themselves a secular country. The UAE is an Islamic country with laws derived from Islam so there is no comparison.
Btw, the UAE already grant citizenship to non-Emiratis, as much as 40% or even more aren't native Emirati nationals. The UAE is already flooded with them so no thank you, no for granting the citizenship for more.
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