Latest news with #NationalIdentity
Emirates 24/7
7 days ago
- Politics
- Emirates 24/7
On Union Pledge Day, UAE celebrates journey from federation to global leadership
As the UAE marks the first anniversary of the 'Union Pledge Day' on 18th July, the nation reflects on the pivotal moments that led to its unification, recalling the enduring legacy of the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers, the Rulers, whose historic declaration in 1971 laid the foundations for the federation. The day is one of the most important days in the history of the UAE, as the declaration of the Union and the UAE Constitution were signed, and its name was announced, with the solid foundation for its establishment laid on 2nd December. Union Pledge Day was designated as a national occasion by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to reaffirm loyalty to the homeland and celebrate the country's continued development. The day aims to strengthen national identity and raise public awareness of the foundational steps that propelled the UAE to its current status as a regional and global leader. The occasion highlights the vision and sacrifices of the founding fathers, whose legacy continues to shape the UAE's trajectory. In his first address to the nation as President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said, 'Today, we see our nation ranked among the most advanced nations globally, as well as being one of the best places to live and work. This was the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed and our founding fathers, and we thank God for this blessing. We will continue to follow their wise approach, drawing inspiration from their unfaltering leadership. Our history, identity, and cultural heritage will form an essential part of our plans for the future." Union Pledge Day also serves to honour the UAE's achievements in state-building and unity, forged amid complex regional dynamics. The founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed, led the country through the formation of the Arab world's first federal state and launched one of the region's largest development drives. Following Sheikh Zayed's leadership, the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan led the empowerment phase (2004–2022), strengthening institutions, promoting education, and advancing citizen participation in national development. Under his leadership, the UAE achieved record growth across economic, service, humanitarian, infrastructure, renewable energy and space exploration sectors. The country became the second-largest economy in the Arab world and the first Arab and Muslim nation to reach Mars. Sheikh Khalifa's forward-looking strategies included the Principles of the 50, UAE Vision 2021, the UAE Strategy for Government Services (2021–2025), UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, the National Space Strategy 2030, and the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy. Since 2022, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has continued to achieve major milestones across economic, social, political and development domains. The country continues to rank highly in regional and global competitiveness indices. Economic diversification has gained momentum, with significant growth in tourism, trade, financial services, industry, real estate, telecoms and technology. The Central Bank of the UAE expects real GDP to expand by 4.4 percent in 2025, fuelled by rising foreign investment and robust non-oil sectors. In Q1 2025, non-oil foreign trade reached AED835 billion, with exports hitting a record AED177.3 billion in the first three months of 2025. Over the past five decades, the UAE economy has witnessed remarkable growth across key sectors, with the country's GDP rising from AED58.3 billion in 1975 to AED17 trillion in 2024. During the same period, foreign trade surged from AED11.5 billion to AED5.23 trillion. In January, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed declared 2025 the 'Year of Community,' aimed at strengthening intergenerational ties and social cohesion. The government allocated AED27.9 billion—39 percent of the 2025 federal budget—to social development, underscoring its commitment to citizen welfare and cultural preservation. Internationally, the UAE remains a key partner in peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts. Guided by values of tolerance and coexistence, the country actively supports global stability and justice. Since its founding, the UAE has provided AED368 billion in foreign aid, benefiting more than one billion people worldwide across humanitarian and development sectors.
Times of Oman
07-07-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
National Museum's summer programme to boost creativity and cultural identity
Muscat: The National Museum launched the 'Our Summer: Heritage and Identity' programme, organised by the museum's Learning Centre, with support from bp Oman, to enhance participating students' awareness of national identity and consolidate the values of Omani cultural heritage. The summer programme targets three age groups: children (6 to 11 years old), school students (12 to 16 years old), and college and university students. During the current month of July, a number of artistic and interactive sessions inspired by the National Museum's collections will be implemented to contribute to developing the participants' skills and stimulating their creative abilities. Amina bint Abdullah Al Abri, Head of the Learning Centre at the National Museum, explained that the 'Our Summer: Heritage and Identity' programme is one of the annual initiatives the Learning Centre is keen to implement, aiming to instill the values of national identity and strengthen young people's connection to their cultural heritage through a creative and experimental approach that embodies the intersection of art and heritage. She pointed out that the National Museum is participating in the "Our Summer: Leadership and Creativity" programme in North Al Batinah Governorate, in cooperation with the Governor's Office, from July 6 to 10, 2025, through a group of artistic sessions organised by the Learning Centre within the framework of the Community Awareness Programme and the Children's Literature Reading Series Programme, and includes various fields, such as colouring, traditional architecture, and the history of Omani maritime navigation. She stated that the programme aims to instill national identity in the new generation through artistic educational methods that combine enjoyment and knowledge, as part of the National Museum's efforts to enhance its presence outside its premises and convey its cultural message, contributing to consolidating the values of national identity and heritage. The summer programme in North Al Batinah is held in a number of governorate's wilayats, namely: Sohar, Liwa, Shinas, Saham, Al Khabourah, and Suwaiq, to include (240) beneficiaries, while the Learning Centre implements the activities of the first programme at the headquarters of the National Museum for the age group (6-11 years) during the period from July 6-10, while the second and third programmes are implemented in the Learning Centre corner in Al Mouj Muscat, for the category of school students (12-16 years) and college and university students, respectively from (July 13-17) and from (July 20-24), to include (260) beneficiaries. It is worth noting that the Learning Centre at the National Museum is the first of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman. It is equipped according to the highest international standards and offers various educational programmes aimed at raising public awareness about Omani heritage, including: the School Visits Programme, the Colleges and Universities Programme, the Family Programme, the Community Awareness Programme, the Continuing Education Programme, the People with Disabilities Programme, and the Children's Literature Reading Series Programme. These programmes generate increased interest among all visitor categories in Oman's rich history.
CBC
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Degrassi, MuchMusic and the North American house hippo: Artist draws 100 symbols of Canadiana
From the classic symbols like the beaver and a Tim Horton's cup, to more niche Canadian references like bagged milk and the North American house hippo, Calgary-based artist Lynne Rennie is piecing together a "cultural mosaic" of Canadian-ness — one drawing at a time. "I am very interested in how symbols create a shared sense of identity, not just for products or hockey teams, but also for countries as well," she said. Her artwork series called Drawn to Canada explores what a national Canadian brand looks like, with drawings completed within an hour and shared to social media every day for 100 days. And the timing of her project is no coincidence. "With the current geopolitical climate, I was frankly thrilled that I could see our entire country lean into Canadianisms, being proud of being Canadian because we were threatened," Rennie said, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump's 51st state comments. Anne MacLennan, an associate professor at York University in the department of communication and media studies, describes this uptick in Canadian pride as "defensive nationalism" — a desire to assert that Canadians really are "Canadian," and definitely not American. "When we get a serious pushback like this, this is when there's a rise in Canadian identity. This is when [Canadians] push back when they're told they're the same as Americans. That's when people say, 'No, no, no, Canadians are like this,'" MacLennan said. Rennie also credits Canadian actor Mike Myers's "elbows up" gesture on Saturday Night Live back in March as a "catalyst" for this wave of pro-Canadian nostalgia and sentiment, proving just how powerful a symbol can be. "All of a sudden, people knew exactly what he was talking about," she said of Myers's hockey reference. "When you're backed into the corner, you come out swinging. You don't start the fight, but you defend yourself when you're threatened." WATCH | The symbolic gesture that stirred up Canadian pride: #TheMoment 'Elbows Up' became a rally cry against Trump 4 months ago Duration 1:23 In response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, Canadian actor Mike Myers may have started a movement by pointing to his elbow and mouthing the words 'elbows up' during appearances on Saturday Night Live. The phrase has caught on and has become a rallying cry in the trade war. Degrassi makes its mark Another symbol in Rennie's collection of Canadiana: Degrassi, the much-beloved television franchise which followed children and, later, teens navigating their lives in Toronto. Linda Schuyler, the original show's co-creator and executive producer said she was delighted to see Degrassi make the list, as people have often told her, "Degrassi is like Tim Horton's. It's one of those just quintessentially Canadian things." Schuyler said Canadian values like embracing diversity were "hard-baked" into the Degrassi franchise, and it's one of the things she's most proud of. "There's such an unease about what is going on in the United States right now. And the manner in which this whole diversity and inclusion and equity is being dealt with. It is the antithesis of what we as Canadians believe. "Our big mantra on the show was to help reassure young people that they are not alone. It didn't matter what your cultural background is, what your skin colour is … it was an inclusive world that we were building," she said. The unapologetically Canadian franchise gained fans internationally, with Schuyler receiving fan mail from all over the world. In a storyline from Degrassi Junior High, when the character Spike became pregnant, Schuyler recalls people sending the show stuffed toys and baby blankets — a moment that helped her see how the show really resonated with people. Meet The Kids of Degrassi Street 40 years ago Duration 1:54 CBC visits the garages and back alleys of east-end Toronto in 1985 to see how the show operates. MuchMusic, much impact For George Stroumboulopoulos, MuchMusic's inclusion in Rennie's project is a no-brainer. The broadcaster and former VJ on the music channel said, "MuchMusic is a crucial part of Canadian storytelling and Canadian identity, and has been for decades." First airing in 1984, the channel was called "Canada's answer to MTV." Featuring charming VJ hosts with an obvious passion for music, Much reached the entire country from its studio space at 299 Queen St. W. in Toronto. "It was about making the best stuff for music fans and it was keeping kids company across the country who weren't connected otherwise," he said. "I was up in Nunavut, and I would meet kids who had never left Baffin Island and they had a connection to the rest of the country in a way that felt genuine." MuchMusic was also a launching pad for many artists. Musicians like Alanis Morissette and Barenaked Ladies came through its halls before becoming household names. Stroumboulopoulos described it as "lightning in a bottle." With no Teleprompters or studios, the team shot their shows from their workspace and prioritized their relationship with the audience. "It was just a weird kind of punk rock experience and you can't help but be authentic when you're doing that," he said. "I would come in in the morning, start working on that show for the day. Suddenly I'd hear a drum set being tuned up and it would be the guys in the Foo Fighters would be in there getting rehearsing.… You have to walk by them to get to the bathroom, like it was just madness all the time. "There had never been anything like that and there hasn't been anything since like that," he said. "A lot of the things that are touchstones for Canada, people come up with fairly consistent ideas about what makes Canada 'Canadian.' And, one of the things is our media," said MacLennan. Mr. Dressup, Casey, and Finnegan, Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip, and Cirque de Soleil are some of the other media references included in Rennie's project. The complexity of exploring a national identity While MacLennan said there are some symbols that speak to the country's national identity, she made it clear that it can't necessarily be all-encompassing, as Canada is vastly diverse, containing numerous visions of Canadian identities. "There's always different points in Canada: regional politics, regional identities, different concerns across ... It's a large country. There's all kinds of things that have to be integrated. So there's a push and pull in Canadian identity," she said. For Rennie, the Canadian symbols she's drawn are a way to express Canadian-ness in relation to American-ness. Primarily, she said she wanted to differentiate the country's identity from the "melting pot" of the U.S. "We are a cultural mosaic. We are allowed to express where we're from," she said. While Rennie originally planned to do just 100 days of drawings, she said Drawn to Canada has been so satisfying, for both her creative side and her identity as a "fierce Canadian," that she'll keep the series going beyond those hundred days.
Zawya
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Ministry of Education approves mandatory guidelines for teaching Arabic language, Islamic studies, and social studies
To be implemented from the 2025/2026 academic year, across all private schools in the UAE and all approved curricula Arabic Language: Arabic language will be taught daily for 200 minutes per week (40 minutes per day). Instruction time will increase to 300 minutes per week (60 minutes per day) by the 2027/2028 academic year. Islamic Studies: Islamic Studies will be taught to all Muslim students for 90 minutes per week. Instruction may be scheduled as three 30-minute lessons or two 45-minute lessons per week. Social Studies: Private schools must integrate concepts of family, UAE geography, UAE environment, social values, and wider social studies into the kindergarten curriculum. These will be taught through simplified, play-based approaches throughout the daily school programme, both inside and outside the classroom. United Arab Emirates - The Ministry of Education has announced the approval of mandatory guidelines for the teaching of Arabic language, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies for the kindergarten stage in private schools across the UAE. These guidelines will be implemented from the 2025/2026 academic year and will apply to all private schools in the UAE, across all approved curricula. This initiative aims to strengthen the national values of children from an early age, nurturing a generation that is proud of its national identity, proficient in its mother tongue, and well-grounded in the values of family, society, and the geography and environment of the UAE. This move is aligned with the Ministry's vision of enhancing national identity by supporting the teaching of Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies from the foundational years. The Ministry is committed to developing and delivering specialised educational programmes that foster children's skills in reading, writing, Emirati values, and national identity from an early age, supporting their educational development in later years. To ensure consistent and effective implementation, the Ministry will provide private schools with instructional frameworks and clear learning outcomes for all three subject areas before the start of the 2025/2026 academic year. Implementation of the guidelines will commence in 2025/2026, supported by advisory visits to private schools. In partnership with local educational authorities, the Ministry will also conduct regular inspections starting from the 2026/2027 academic year to verify compliance with the guidelines. Detailed Guidelines Arabic language will be taught daily to all students for 200 minutes weekly initially (40 minutes per day), increasing to 300 minutes weekly (60 minutes per day) by 2027/2028. Arabic will be taught by qualified early childhood teachers using approved educational resources and age-appropriate teaching methods, suitable for both native and non-native speakers. Islamic Studies will be taught to all Muslim students in kindergarten in private schools for 90 minutes per week, delivered as either three sessions of 30 minutes or two sessions of 45 minutes per week. Private schools must integrate concepts of family, UAE geography, the UAE environment, social values, and key social topics into kindergarten education. These concepts will be presented in a simplified, play-based learning approach that is incorporated into the daily routine, both inside and outside the classroom.
Dubai Eye
17-06-2025
- General
- Dubai Eye
Abu Dhabi private schools to display performance ratings
Private schools across Abu Dhabi will now display official School Performance Plaques at their entrances. The initiative, launched by the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), highlights each school's latest Irtiqa'a rating and National Identity Mark — giving parents and visitors a clear view of school quality at a glance. Officials say the move promotes transparency, encourages improvement and supports informed decision-making for families. Sulaiman Al Ameri, Acting Executive Director of ADEK's Private Education and Charter Schools Sector, said that the plaques are more than just ratings — they represent a school's commitment to academic excellence and national identity. The plaques showcase two key indicators of school quality: Irtiqaa Rating – an inspection framework that evaluates school performance across six core areas: student achievement, personal and social development, teaching and assessment, curriculum quality, student care and wellbeing, and leadership effectiveness. National Identity Mark – A measure of how well schools embed and promote national culture, values and citizenship within their educational environment. In the coming phase, a Wellbeing Mark will also be added to reflect schools' efforts in supporting the emotional, social and physical wellbeing of students and staff. Parents are encouraged to look for the plaques when visiting schools and to explore more about the Irtiqa'a and National Identity frameworks via ADEK's website or its parent app, Rayah.
