A Moment With
that you have observed?
Reflecting on the environment of
teaching and schools structure
from my time, I would say that there
is a definite change. We were so
eager to learn and the teachers
were committed to teaching. Their
mission was more altruistic, creating
and developing these young minds
not only in knowledge but also in
character. Our facilities were modest,
and this is where the greatest change
has occurred. The infrastructure and
availability of educational choices
have improved dramatically. Today we
have better facilities, more technology
and opportunities. Despite this, we
sometimes see a lack of commitment
from students and families these days.
There is also a lack of commitment
from some of the teachers to help to
change the attitudes of the students
and families to commit to learning.
Our leaders from Sheikh Zayed to date
have provided us with the tools to have
a first class education system, the best
in the region. So, we must work harder
as individuals to match these first class
opportunities with first class attitudes.
Who was your favourite
teacher and why?
My favourite teacher was my toughest.
I used to struggle with my Arabic
grammar, and he would say, “You might
not master the grammar, but you must
master speaking it and writing it to be
effective in your life.” This encouraged
me to strive in life to always find a way
to compensate for where I fall short or
may have a weakness, which in return
has helped me in English and many
other areas in my life.
Share with us two common
misconceptions about Emirati
people and culture that others
may have that you would like
to correct?
The first thing is that we are not all oil
rich. Therefore, money is not handed
out to each and every one of us as
perceived. Our forefathers had humble
beginnings. We were fisherman,
pearl divers, farmers, shepherds
and traders. Our government helps
the citizens by creating access to
education, healthcare and assistance
programmes to be utilized by those
who need it. The philosophy of our
nation is that no one should be
homeless, go to sleep hungry, or be
deprived of the basics to live a decent
life with dignity. As such, we have many
programmes similar to social security.
What might be different in our culture
is that we offer to assist our citizens
in the start of their life rather than aid
them once they have aged and can’t
help themselves much. In our culture
and the teachings of the faith, elderly
people are the family’s responsibility
not the government.
The second common misconception
is that women don’t have rights; they
don’t have equal access to education,
and we tell them what to wear and
so on. The truth is that the Prophet
Mohammad (PBUH), spoke extensively
about the elevated status of women,
and accordingly the Quran mentioned
these rights more than 1400 years
ago. Women are equal in personal
responsibility, opportunity, rewards
and punishment. Side by side with
the man today, the Emirati woman
contributes a great deal to the wellbeing of our society, and hold great
positions in the government and
private sector alike. We do not tell
them what to wear, as most men would
agree with me, we prefer not to cross
that line.
How can Emiratis pass on
important traditions to the
younger generation?
• Values: Spend time with them and
teach them the values, and moral
systems of our forefathers.
• Hospitality: Exemplified in the way
we welcome all nationalities into our
home UAE.
• Modesty: Exemplifi