Gulf News readers had a very strong response to the comment published in The Views section (‘Citizenship to expats presents challenges’, Gulf News, September 30) on the issue of citizenship for expatriates. Most of them understood the hesitation that it might dilute the culture and identity of the country. Readers suggested that a permanent residency or a ten-year visa would address the concerns of expatriates. We present a selection of views.
Do you deserve it?
It’s true that most expatriates don’t want to leave this country [UAE] and want to claim residency on the basis of the number of years they have spent here and their contributions towards the economy. But honestly, how many of them have taken pains to assimilate into the culture by learning the language and history? How many are willing to defend the UAE from external threats? When the UAE is in a difficult situation, won’t the expatriates pack their bags and flee to their native countries? Something like what happened during the Iraq war. Most expatriates just want to enjoy this better standard and dread to go back to their home countries. They have no strong roots in the UAE, as they claim to have. People didn’t come to the UAE out of love for the country. They came here only to improve their economic standards and escape the high taxation in their own countries.
From Mr Raj Kris
India
Ten-year visa
My father came to the UAE in 1956, which is almost six decades ago. I am 42 years old, born and brought up here. I don’t ask for citizenship or permanent residency. Even a ten-year residence visa will be highly appreciated.
From Mr Rajesh
Dubai
Website comment
Loyalty
If the expatriates are actually so fond of the UAE then I wonder why none of them has asked for citizenship without the bene-fits given to Emiratis. This means we will continue life as it is and just give up our foreign passport for a UAE passport. We would not get any benefits like the Emiratis do. I basically mean that getting a UAE passport would not increase your income or anything else. Does UAE citizenship still sound attractive? Or are you of double minds now? With regard to people who have lived here for three to four decades, I suggest, you should buy property and show some longterm commitment towards the country. The banks even allow you to pay instalments if you can’t pay money up front. Even after spending decades in the UAE most expatriates send their savings back home. How can they crib about not getting citizenship in this country? I wonder where their loyalty lies.
From Mr Ali
Dubai
Website comments
Same purpose
Culture is a dynamic institution that evolves with time. I read your article with enthusiasm and I think that it is fair. I understand your reservations. I would like to bring out the fact that dynamism of culture cannot be altered by naturalising foreigners. The balance was altered the moment labour migration was introduced in the UAE. That is when the melting pot of cultures started cooking. It increased associations between the Emiratis and the foreigners. I am often disappointed when I see that some Emiratis are given special treatment. I believe human beings were created to foster relationships regardless of race, colour, caste or creed. Hence, I don’t think you have covered your entire basis with regard to the granting of citizenship to expatriates. The writer has focused on the fact that giving citizenship to foreigners would eventually dissolve the Emirati identity. But culture is anyway evolving every day. The world is shrinking, as it is becoming easier and easier to connect with people across the globe. I recently turned 30 and believe me, in these years I’ve seen the world evolve from a continent to a village. Expatriates might have different origins, colour, race and language, but living in this nation, our fight is the same. Even though our means are different, our ends converge.
From Mr Al Bahry
Dubai
New legislations
This report has fair comments that one can agree with. Emirati concerns always relate to their heritage and desire to keep traditions and families in place. The UAE authorities can accordingly legislate that Emiratis should not marry outside their community and that a UAE citizen should only have UAE nationality. They should never be allowed to obtain a passport from any foreign country. Such measures will help foster and retain the national identity.
Louie Tedesco
Dubai
Minority issue
I think that the UAE authorities should think hard before giving citizenships to foreigners. I agree with giving it to people who have spent their lives in this country and have contributed towards its growth. Giving citizenship to any and everyone will make the Emirati population a minority.
From Mr Mohammad
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Respect and appreciation
I respect the opinion of the writer and I admire the Emiratis for their hospitality towards expatriates. But there are a few things I disagree with. The UAE is a country that most expatriates including myself consider a better place to live in, given the lifestyle we have. In my opinion, if we as foreigners take the UAE as home, then we should be willing to give our lives for this nation, when time requires. Would you be willing to stand up and fight for the UAE in times of war as you would for your home country? If you have a chance to fly back to your home country where you would be safe, would you stay? Love for a country and having its citizenship means you are willing to die for the country. Most expatriates are only here for greener pastures. Those born here, stay here for the same reason as their parents do, good lifestyle. There is nothing wrong with that either. I think citizenship is only on paper, but the mutual respect and appreciation for each other, despite cultural differences which this country has, is what makes the UAE a nation that deserves admiration.
From Mr Lester
Philippines
Full name withheld by request
Makes sense
I agree with most of the article, but there is a strong argument on the other side. I had lived in Dubai, too, and I plan to move back at some point in life. I loved living in Dubai but I was always worried about being left with no optional job contract and having to leave the country despite my affection towards it. Initiating the process of naturalisation is too early and not really viable in the existing circumstances as explained by the writer. I think permanent residency is still a viable option. It would not give political rights to expatriates to bring new legislation to the UAE. This way all the cultural, religious and political values would remain intact.
From Mr Atique Shair
Düsseldorf, Germany
Good lifestyle
I agree that expatriates are living here because they have a better lifestyle, better income, more freedom, better facilities and minimum discrimination. For expatriates, life here is much better than that in the US, UK and Europe. The expatriates should appreciate this. There is no point saying that we should follow the rules of citizenship like other Western countries. Your lifestyle is more important than what your passport says.
From Mr Mohammad Adnan
Dubai
Permanent residency
I have a question for the writer, Jalal Bin Thaneya, what about people like me who are born and raised in this country? This is our native land just like it is for Emiratis. Just because the Emiratis have a UAE passport, it doesn’t make them any different. People born and raised in the country are the same, as they have been brought up in the same environment. I understand the hesitation in giving citizenship to expatriates, but something along the lines of permanent residency is long overdue.
From Mr Mansoor
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Great report
I strongly believe that expatriates should not be granted citizenship, even though I am one of them and have been living in the UAE for the past 20 years. The writer, Jalal Bin Thaneya, has brought a new dimension to this issue by expressing and explaining his views with logic. Good article!
From Mr G. M. Kadri
Dubai
Be satisfied
Comparing the UAE with Western countries with regard to giving expatriates citizenships is not a good idea. These two are entirely different worlds. The Western countries that give citizenship are comparatively much bigger and have a vast geographical area. But the UAE is a small country and I think it is just enough for its own citizens. The population of UAE nationals is increasing.
From Mr Hussain
Dubai
Website comment
Editor’s note: What do you think of this page and the content featured on it? How can we change and improve? Share your views on the newspaper’s content with us on readers@gulfnews.com or our Facebook page.
