Dubai Police showcases three years of ‘Positive Spirit' achievements
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)The Dubai Police, represented by the Positive Spirit Council, held a press conference to showcase the achievements of the initiative over the past three years.The event, held in the Cycling Hub at the Dubai Police Club, was attended by Major General Consultant Dr. Ali Singel, Health Advisor for Dubai Police; Professor Ali Hassan Salman Nasser, the Regional Ambassador for the World Federation of Friends of the United Nations in the Middle East, North Africa, the UAE, and Oman; Fatima Buhajeer, Chairperson of the Positive Spirit Council; Mohammad Al Hajjaji, General Coordinator of the Positive Spirit Council; as well as several officers and media representatives.During the press conference, Fatima Buhajeer explained that Positive Spirit is a community-based initiative that aims to promote positivity and spread happiness among residents through various activities and events.She added: 'The initiative also aims to create a more cohesive society and reinforce values of tolerance and coexistence among individuals from diverse backgrounds. It targets all community members, including children, youth, and seniors from various nationalities. This ongoing effort seeks to cultivate a happy and safe environment by promoting positivity, collaboration, and cooperation among everyone.
Initiative GoalsBuhajeer emphasised that the initiative aims to strengthen community ties through activities and events designed to unite residents. She stated, 'The Positive Spirit initiative promotes tolerance and coexistence, encourages positive dialogue among community members, and stimulates participation by providing ample opportunities for involvement. Furthermore, it aligns with Dubai Police's strategic goal of enhancing community happiness and fosters a culture of volunteering through diverse initiatives.' Buhajeer noted that through its initiatives and me, the Positive Spirit Council achieved a remarkable transformation in the relationship between the community and Dubai Police through its diverse events, initiatives, and community sports programmes.'By fostering trust and communication, it has consistently enhanced social security in residential areas, yielding notable positive outcomes over the years,' she added.Furthermore, Buhajeer indicated that, through the Positive Spirit initiative, the council organised 933 events from 2022 to 2024, engaging participants from over 37 nationalities. This includes 241 community programmes, 289 sports programmes, 292 courses and lectures, and 111 cultural competitions.
AwarenessBuhajeer confirmed that the council has played a crucial role in enhancing security in residential areas under the jurisdiction of police stations since its establishment. 'This effort reflects the council's ongoing commitment to fostering positive behaviors among community members and raising awareness of police services and communication channels with Dubai Police,' Buhajeer continued.
Preventive Strategy
Year of Community
Continue full coverage
She explained that the council's approach is grounded in a preventive strategy for community engagement since the launch of its events and programmes. 'By involving community members as volunteers, it has empowered them to become key players in supporting the security system and enhancing the safety of their neighborhoods. Consequently, the council has emerged as an exemplary model for strengthening community security, serving as a soft force in promoting tolerance, coexistence, and community solidarity,' Buhajeer added.The chairperson of the Positive Spirit Council shared that the council, under the guidance of Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, places significant emphasis on volunteer work as part of its agenda. She pointed out that the council is committed to fostering a culture of volunteering among employees and community members, recognising the profound impact of such efforts on society, particularly in promoting values like compassion, solidarity, and generosity.Buhajeer said, "Through our initiatives and community events, we provide annual volunteer opportunities for residents to engage in this vibrant movement. This enriches their lives and supports Dubai Police's strategic goals of creating a happier and safer community. Since 2022, the Council has offered 222 volunteer opportunities across various fields, benefiting 6,650 volunteers.'Buhajeer emphasised that the council's initiatives align with Dubai Police's strategic goals to enhance community happiness by promoting security, trust in the police, and overall quality of life, contributing to the vision of a safe and resilient city.Buhajeer noted that the events, programmes, sports activities, and cultural competitions organised by the council, in cooperation with police stations, have achieved a remarkable public satisfaction rate of 98.9%.Buhajeer further confirmed that Positive Spirit initiatives have attracted 17,917,442 views on social media platforms over the past three years.
Additionally, she reaffirmed that the Council has received 15 awards at local, regional, and international levels since launching its initiatives and programmes. Among these prestigious accolades are the International Association of Chiefs of Police Award (IACP) in the Community Policing category; the Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Sports Awards for Best Sports Creative Initiative; the Emirates Women Award in the Social Community Work category; and the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work, which includes both the Distinguished Supporter Award for Volunteer Work and the Best Voluntary Initiative Award, among others.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
13 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Following the approval of the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, Ministry of Education unveils new school calendar for Academic Year 2025-2026
23 July 2025 20:00 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)With the approval of the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced a new school calendar for public and private schools across the UAE, effective for academic year new school calendar sets unified dates for the start of the Academic Year, end of the three terms and end of term breaks. The calendar applies to all public and private schools updates aim to support family cohesion and provide a balanced learning environment in line with the goals of the 'Year of Community'.Following the #Education, Human Development and Community Development Council's approval, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research unveils new calendar for #university #academic year 2025-2026 Read more: Al Amiri, Minister of Education, highlighted that the new school calendar marks a qualitative shift in managing the academic year, aligning with the Ministry's national approach to achieving the goals of the 'Year of Community' by creating a more balanced and socially connected educational Amiri added that the calendar now serves as a strategic national tool, reinforcing both educational quality and social cohesion. She also noted that consistent holiday dates will enable community, cultural and tourism entities to align their programmes with the academic schedule, strengthening the link between education and of the calendar begins on 25th August 2025, marking the start of the academic year 2025-2026. The first term will end with a four-week winter break from 8th December 2025 to 4th January 2026, with schools resuming on 5th January 2026. This extended break offers students time to recharge after an intensive term and engage in national and community second term runs from 5th January 2026 through 15th March 2026, followed by a spring break from 16th to 29th March 2026. Schools resume on 30th March 2026, except for private schools in Sharjah, which return on 23rd March third term starts on 30th March 2026 and ends on 3rd July 2026, except in Sharjah, where it ends on 2nd July 2026. The schedule ensures a balanced academic year that supports learning and student new calendar introduces mid-term breaks for public and private schools following the government's curriculum, offering regular short breaks to ease academic pressure. The first mid-term break runs from 13th to 19th October 2025, an early pause during the longest term. The second break falls between 11th and 15th February 2026, offering students a mid-term recharge. The third break is scheduled from 25th to 31st May 2026, aligning with the Eid Al Adha holiday. These short breaks aim to support students' well-being and strengthen family time throughout the academic Ministry has allowed private schools that do not follow the government's curriculum to schedule mid-term breaks in October and February, with each break not exceeding five consecutive days. These breaks must remain within the specified months and cannot be extended or shifted, ensuring alignment with the national calendar while accommodating schools' operational MoE stressed that all schools must follow the approved calendar, including holding final assessments or completing curriculum requirements in the last week of each term, to ensure students attend until the last school day. This excludes grades taking pre-scheduled international exams. It also emphasised that private schools following the government's curriculum must adhere to the centralised test calendar used in public schools.
Al Etihad
13 hours ago
- Al Etihad
With the approval of the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, Ministry of Education unveils new school calendar for Academic Year 2025-2026
23 July 2025 20:00 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)With the approval of the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced a new school calendar for public and private schools across the UAE, effective for academic year new school calendar sets unified dates for the start of the Academic Year, end of the three terms and end of term breaks. The calendar applies to all public and private schools updates aim to support family cohesion and provide a balanced learning environment in line with the goals of the 'Year of Community'.Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, highlighted that the new school calendar marks a qualitative shift in managing the academic year, aligning with the Ministry's national approach to achieving the goals of the 'Year of Community' by creating a more balanced and socially connected educational Amiri added that the calendar now serves as a strategic national tool, reinforcing both educational quality and social cohesion. She also noted that consistent holiday dates will enable community, cultural and tourism entities to align their programmes with the academic schedule, strengthening the link between education and of the calendar begins on 25th August 2025, marking the start of the academic year 2025-2026. The first term will end with a four-week winter break from 8th December 2025 to 4th January 2026, with schools resuming on 5th January 2026. This extended break offers students time to recharge after an intensive term and engage in national and community second term runs from 5th January 2026 through 15th March 2026, followed by a spring break from 16th to 29th March 2026. Schools resume on 30th March 2026, except for private schools in Sharjah, which return on 23rd March third term starts on 30th March 2026 and ends on 3rd July 2026, except in Sharjah, where it ends on 2nd July 2026. The schedule ensures a balanced academic year that supports learning and student new calendar introduces mid-term breaks for public and private schools following the government's curriculum, offering regular short breaks to ease academic pressure. The first mid-term break runs from 13th to 19th October 2025, an early pause during the longest term. The second break falls between 11th and 15th February 2026, offering students a mid-term recharge. The third break is scheduled from 25th to 31st May 2026, aligning with the Eid Al Adha holiday. These short breaks aim to support students' well-being and strengthen family time throughout the academic Ministry has allowed private schools that do not follow the government's curriculum to schedule mid-term breaks in October and February, with each break not exceeding five consecutive days. These breaks must remain within the specified months and cannot be extended or shifted, ensuring alignment with the national calendar while accommodating schools' operational MoE stressed that all schools must follow the approved calendar, including holding final assessments or completing curriculum requirements in the last week of each term, to ensure students attend until the last school day. This excludes grades taking pre-scheduled international exams. It also emphasised that private schools following the government's curriculum must adhere to the centralised test calendar used in public schools.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Awards launches 12th edition, inviting community members to nominate inspiring role models
MAYS IBRAHIM/WAM (ABU DHABI) Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Awards has officially launched its 12th edition on Tuesday. Coinciding with the UAE's designation of 2025 as the Year of Community, this edition celebrates 20 years of honouring individuals whose selfless acts of goodness and giving benefitted the UAE community. It will be held under the theme 'Hand in Hand'. Since its inception, the Abu Dhabi Awards has honoured 100 recipients of 18 nationalities for their impactful contributions across various fields, including community service, sustainability, healthcare, volunteerism, science, preservation of culture and heritage, environmental protection, and support for people of determination. 'The ongoing efforts of these recipients serve as a testament that even the smallest acts of kindness are powerful in creating a ripple effect, inspiring others to play an active and meaningful role in serving the community,' the Abu Dhabi Awards said in a statement. Nominations for this year's edition are now open, and individuals from across the UAE are invited to nominate individuals whose acts of goodness and dedication have had a meaningful impact on the UAE community, regardless of their age, nationality, or profession. This may include citizens, residents, non-residents, and people with notable international achievements that bring honour to the UAE. The process is open year-round through the Abu Dhabi Awards digital platform. A single nomination is sufficient for consideration, but individuals cannot nominate themselves. 'Each nomination for the Abu Dhabi Awards celebrates the values of selflessness and dedication that we hold dear within our community. The awards aim to honour the unsung heroes who serve across all segments of society, working selflessly to help those around them, and quietly serving the nation without expecting recognition,' said Mahra Al Shamsi, a member of the Abu Dhabi Awards Organising Committee. For the first time, the award has introduced an interactive online nomination form specifically for children, encouraging the youth to both witness and appreciate acts of kindness. Speaking with Aletihad, Al Shamsi explained that this move follows an overwhelming response in previous years, where a large number of nominations came from children through physical forms distributed in schools. 'Children make up a huge percentage of the UAE community. It's vital to instil the values of goodness at an early age, not just to do good, but to recognise it in others,' Al Shamsi said. 'Goodness in Motion' This year also sees the introduction of 'Goodness in Motion', a mobile outreach campaign designed to engage the public in high-footfall areas such as malls, schools, and construction sites. The campaign will feature giveaways, family-friendly activities, and educational content, aiming to encourage people to reflect on and nominate those around them who make a quiet yet meaningful difference in society. Moreover, a series of talks, roadshows, and workshops will be hosted in collaboration with institutions across the UAE to raise awareness about the Abu Dhabi Awards. A Revamped Trophy In celebration of its 20th year, the Abu Dhabi Awards has also unveiled a refreshed design of its iconic trophy. While retaining its recognisable shape, the updated version incorporates elements symbolising the UAE's natural environment. The base of the award represents the seven emirates, underlining national unity. It will be crafted using locally sourced materials to honour its homegrown legacy. 'One nomination could help spark a legacy of giving that lives on for generations to come,' Al Shamsi said. To submit a nomination or learn more about the Abu Dhabi Awards, visit
