Ethics can make winners, minister says
UAE’s sustainability is built on holding on to national values
DUBAI // To combat hatred and terrorism and maintain the nation’s sustainability, the UAE’s people must stick to their values and ethics, said Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister.
Sheikh Saif, also Minister of Interior, said the UAE’s sustainability comes from its religion, culture, heritage and history, which were reinforced by the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed.
“When we talk about sustainability, we mean the sustainability of our nation as whole and not just one sector,” he said.
Sheikh Saif praised the countries that prioritise ethics and integrate them into their lives. He said that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, sent a team to countries such as Japan and Canada, which teach ethics as part of their education system. “We took from them what fits with our religion and history and implemented here,” said Sheikh Saif. He also said that the common factor between all religions was their call for good ethics.
“Every time that humanity went off the track of being ethical, God sent a prophet to remind them,” said Sheikh Saif.
“Being ethical comes before education and money.
“We are today in a complicated war with hatred, sectarianism, terrorists and, God willing, by holding on to our ethics we will be winners.”
Sheikh Saif said that the UAE would go “to all corners of the world” to fight terrorism and would continue to assist those in need.
He said that, like humans, countries would be taken over and killed by viruses and diseases if they did not have immunity.
Addressing UAE National Service, Sheikh Saif said: “The service has entered every Emirati home, and we all saw its positive effect in those homes.
“National Service is more than just wearing a uniform, it’s about discipline and politeness.” Sheikh Saif praised Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, for searching for sustainability through culture and heritage.
He said that the UAE must depend on its heritage to sustain its nationhood, adding: “With the speed of the UAE’s development, we are not riding a fast train, we are riding an aeroplane.”