Enduring societies are built on solid modern, progressive and tolerant ideals that define their political, economic and social characteristics. The UAE in just 40 years emerged as a modern and pioneering state in our region because it is guided by exactly such ideals and visons. Today, the name of the UAE is synonymous globally with good governance, open-mind society, diversified economy and innovation.
One couldn’t escape that thought as we sat yesterday in Al Bahar Palace, literally watching history being made; not just UAE history but the history of the Arab world. That was the message sent by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai as he introduced to the world the UAE Mars probe mission, the first Arab attempt to reach the red planet; a mission that will contribute to human knowledge and be registered in history as a turning point in the history of Arab civilization.
And it is named ‘Hope’. Why hope? Because it will offer hope for “for millions of young Arabs looking for a better future,” Shaikh Mohammad explained. And who’s more qualified in this region to offer its youth hope than the UAE.
In a region, rife with conflict, division and despair, the UAE, a true oasis of peace, unity and prosperity, represents the potential of this region, the land of opportunity where the pursuit of excellence is away of life, where modernity and openness live side by side with genuine Arab values and Islamic traditions.
The UAE has always been reaching for the stars and pursing excellence in all of its endeavors and initiatives. Today, we are reaching to the stars in the very literal sense of the world. The Mars mission is a 100 per cent Emirati mission, led by young national scientists who make any nation proud. It is also evidence that this region is capable of innovating and excelling in this, Shaikh Mohammad said recently.
The probe, which will be launched in five years, is also a reflection of what I can call ‘The UAE Spring’.
Unlike the tragic Arab Spring, which has been wreaking havoc and anarchy in many parts of the Arab world since early 2011, the UAE Spring has started four decades ago which a vision, translated by its founders and the next generation of leaders into not just the most successful unity experiment in our region but also a successful story and a shining example of modern state building.
The UAE is not the oil exporting country any more. Yes it still produces and exports oil. But the country has evolved beyond the oil dependent economy.
In his famous speech at the Government Summit in February, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said the UAE will continue to invest in vital sectors such as education. . “If we do so correctly now, in 50 years, when we ship off the last barrel of petrol, we will not be sad. I promise you, my brothers and sisters, we will be celebrating,” he brilliantly noted. Since its inception, he said, “the UAE has been sending a message to the others that this region can still be a source of benevolence, peace and love for the whole world.”
So, and like a friend remarked yesterday, if any country can get the Arabs up there in space, it surely would be the UAE, the only Arab country that is not only willing but also capable and has the vision to take on such an epic challenge.
