ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, May 18th 2016 [ME NewsWire]

On Tuesday morning, the Ministry of Interior (MoI), represented by the Naturalization, Residency and Ports Affairs, awarded UAE citizenship to 152 eligible candidates born to Emirati mothers, during a celebration organized by the General Directorate of Naturalization at the Naturalization, Residency and Ports Affairs Club in Abu Dhabi. This move is in line with the Federal Decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaiaili, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Naturalization, Residency and Ports Affairs, stressed that the generosity of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, was embodied by the award of UAE citizenship to 152 eligible candidates born to Emirati mothers. The awarding of UAE citizenship highlights the deep vision of the country’s leadership and its keenness to provide familial stability and accentuate social union, in order to make a significant impact on the development of Emirati society, and provide these families with psychological and social security and stability.

During his speech on this happy occasion he said: “I can only thank His Highness the President of the UAE deeply for a generous gesture that clearly reflects our wise leadership’s esteem towards Emirati mothers and their important role in teaching children to love and feel affiliation for the country. This wise and humanitarian decision embodies our leadership’s continuous engagement with the concerns and problems of our citizens, and the measures taken to solve these problems quickly. It also reflects the special position of women within Emirati society.”

“Our leadership is concentrating on organized and continuous work to provide security and welfare to society and to guarantee further development and growth, so that the UAE remains a role model for the high level thriving and prosperity of the country, both regionally and internationally,” he added.

At the end of his speech, Major General Al Khaiaili congratulated the 152 candidates, calling on them to become examples of good citizenship. He encouraged them to be passionate about the country’s reputation and maintain its honor. He then invited them to reflect the country’s cultural values; abide by the constitution, regulations and laws; respect the prevailing Arabic customs, traditions and heritage; and value the forgiveness of our religion that is prevalent throughout Emirati Society.

For his part, Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashedi, Head of Naturalization Department at Ministry of Interior, said that the initiative is not new to His Highness the President of the UAE. “His Highness takes the responsibility for all the issues relating to the welfare, security and stability of his people. This initiative will have a positive impact on the work and productivity ecosystem in the country,” he added, praising the approach of His Highness the President of the UAE, which enhances community unity and cohesion, due to the enhanced stability that the UAE families will receive as a result of this generosity.

He congratulated the beneficiaries of the citizenship, children of Emirati mothers, calling on them to preserve it, and devote love, duty, belonging, loyalty and ethical national practices to it. He pointed out that the UAE leadership views it as important that the children of Emirati mothers integrate into society, engage in constructive and developmental efforts, as real partners in this country, and be concerned with promoting and upgrading the nation.

During the ceremony, Major General Al Khaiaili, accompanied by Brigadier Al Rashedi, handed over the family books and the UAE citizenship to 152 male and female citizens. He indicated that, for their holders, the books and citizenship are symbols of allegiance and belonging to the nation and the leadership. “Receiving these documents today is an occasion to renew the pledge between UAE children and the head of the Emirati family as a whole,” added Al Khaiaili.

The ceremony was attended by Colonel Suhail Juma bin Kaltham Al Khaili, Acting Director General of Naturalization for Investigation Affairs; Colonel Awad Al Marar, Head of the Naturalization and Passports Department; Colonel Dr. Salah Obeid Al Ghoul, Director of Law Respect Culture Bureau; Colonel Dr. Ahmed Al Khuzaimi, Director of the Police Officers Training Institute; along with a number of family members of the citizenship recipients, as well as officers from the Naturalization, Residency and Ports Affairs Department.

The recipients of the UAE citizenship expressed their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to his Highness President of the UAE. They emphasized that words are not enough to express their thanks to the UAE’s Leader and the overwhelming joy of the occasion, which marks an important turning point in both their professional and social lives.

Hilal Sultan Al Shehhi, a Customs Department staff member in Ras Al Khaimah, expressed his thanks to His Highness the President of the UAE, for this initiative, which will greatly enhance their lives. He stressed that he has been serving the nation robustly, even before acquiring UAE citizenship, because he is a citizen of this country, and given his limitless joy, acquiring UAE citizenship gives him even more impetus to serve the nation to his fullest ability.

For his part, Ahmed Saleh Salem Al Khuzaimi, an employee at the Federal Authority for Electricity and Water in Ajman, said: “Initiatives from His Highness always meet the best interests of the nationals of both genders; and this decision confirms his interest in all segments of society. It also grants women one of their most important rights – granting citizenship to her children, which will reflect positively on the State and its promotion.”

Mishaal Mohammed Ahmed Al Madhani, a government official, and his brother Ali Al Madhani praised this magnificent decision. They pledged to safeguard and maintain their UAE citizenship, which they regard as a medal on their chests. They also pledged allegiance to the country’s leadership, which endeavors to provide a well-rounded lifestyle to both citizens and residents.

For his part, Salem Saleh Salem Al Khuzaimi, a government official, confirmed that this day will remain etched in his memory forever. “UAE Citizenship is considered the most precious honor I’ve ever received and I can only pray to Allah Almighty to bestow wellbeing and heath on His Highness, the President of the UAE,” he said.

Khalid Rashid Al Khanbashi, an employee at the Institute of Applied Technology in Abu Dhabi, expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Highness President of the UAE, for granting Emirati citizenship to the children of Emirati mothers, as it is an honor for everyone.

According to Balkis Saeed Mohammed Al Saadi, a student at the University of Sharjah, this extraordinary happy event will totally change the course of her life. She noted that belonging to the UAE is an unparalleled honor and that no words can express the happiness she and her brothers feel. Concluding, she prayed to Allah Almighty to bless His Highness President of the UAE with health and for the soul of the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of the UAE and the architect of its prosperity, to rest in peace.

For her part, Fatima Jumaa Rashid Al Wahaibi, an employee at Emirates Airlines, extended the most sincere thanks to His Highness the President of the UAE for this gesture, which reflects his generous nature. She promised to spare no effort to further contribute to the progress and development of this great giving country, because countries prosper through the efforts of their citizens. She also hoped to be worthy of this generous gesture, which gave her an indescribable sense of belonging to this country.

Adding to the sentiments, Aisha Nasser Khamis Al Maamari, a student at the Abu Dhabi University Aviation Department, said: “I am extremely proud to receive this official document that proves that I belong to this civilized country. I pray to Allah Almighty to help me be a role model for good citizenship, so I can return my gratitude.”

Moreover, Halima Salem Khalfan Al Ghaithi, a student at United Arab Emirates University, expressed her happiness at the occasion also thanked His Highness the President of the UAE, who has proven to be a worthy successor to his great predecessor, for his role in promoting security, stability and happiness amongst the citizens of the UAE.

For their part, the mothers of the recipients of the UAE citizenship hailed the decision to grant it to the sons and daughters of Emirati mothers. They praised the wise decision, which will have a great impact on their social and professional lives, and has removed a great deal of suffering from their children, as the UAE has never failed to fulfill its duties towards everyone within the constitutional foundations.

For more information about:

The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE

Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

Follow us and check our Social Media feeds on: YouTube, Facebook, Google +, Instagram and Twitter              

The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-666-4891

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/17915/en