Sharjah hopefuls focus on health, jobs, art of ‘listening’

Several Emiratis from all walks of life registered their names for the fourth cycle of elections to the Federal National Council (FNC), which start in October.

Among the agendas on their list, should they be elected, were support for citizens hoping to launch or expand their own business, as well as health, employment and education matters.

The UAE nationals started arriving at the Consultative Council in Sharjah early in the morning to register.

Among the early applicants was Waheeda Abdul Aziz, who

said she wants to listen to people’s issues and be their voice in the FNC. “You have to know about the issues you are discussing and that can only happen when you listen first,” added Waheeda, a member of the Consultative Council in Sharjah.

Businessman Omair Al Ketbi, who also registered his application yesterday, said it was important to empower Emiratis to become entrepreneurs, especially the youth, starting as young as 18-year-olds. “Commerce is empowering for the individual as well as the nation as a whole and it is important to support people in their goal to become business men and women. I would like to offer that training and support to them,” Al Ketbi said.

Why should age be the only criteria for retirement? …As long as a person is physically and mentally able to fulfil the responsibility and contribute, he or she should not be sent into retirement.” Dr Abdulla Ali Bin Sahoo Al Suwaidi | Lawyer