‘World-class services for special people top priority’

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Monday received a delegation of the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO).

During the meeting held at Al Bahr Palace Majlis, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed said that the UAE prioritises the empowerment of people of determination and their integration into society while expressing his pride at their giving, work and productivity, as well as their keenness to prove their abilities and skills.

He also affirmed the desire of the UAE’s leadership to provide world-class services and rehabilitation programmes for people of determination while pointing out that the UAE has succeeded in empowering and integrating people of determination and enabled them to participate with their peers in society, to ensure their future and guarantee them dignified life with full rights.

Abdullah Abdulali Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of the ZHO, stated that the organisation of the Special Olympics World Games in the UAE and its accompanying events and programmes have helped rehabilitate people of determination, of whom 120 were hired by several government authorities and private companies, under the supervision of the ZHO.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, Sheikh Saif Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Adviser to the President, Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan,

Chairman of the Crown Prince’s Court, and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Al Humaidan added that the foundation has led in adopting the ideas and principles of the Special Olympics, to attract more Emirati nationals, train them and qualify them for the labour market.

The people of determination are currently tailoring 1 per cent of school uniforms across the country in coordination with the Ministry of Education, he added.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan also received a team from the “Amentak Beladak Initiative” (Your Country, Your Responsibility), which is being implemented by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court.

Sheikh Mohamed and the delegation from the initiative, which distributes a souvenir to every newborn baby in the UAE, highlighted the importance of instilling the value of belonging to the country and loyalty to its soil.

“We are keen to consolidate the values of the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his inspiring legacy among our children, which are love, dedication, work, giving and coexistence, which established the UAE’s dignity, security and prosperity,” Sheikh Mohamed said while pointing out that the UAE’s leadership, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is continuing Sheikh Zayed’s approach by promoting these national values among the Emirati people.

He also praised the efforts of the team, which contributed to the initiative’s success.

In turn, the delegation expressed happiness at meeting Sheikh Mohamed and hailed his attention to generations to come as well as his keenness on instilling national noble values as they are the true wealth of the homeland.

The initiative includes the distribution of “Your Country, Your Responsibility” commemorative coins to all Emirati newborns, accompanied by a personal message from Sheikh Mohamed.

The message congratulates the new parents and welcomes the arrival of the newborn. It also highlights the values of citizenship, loyalty and allegiance to the nation. It is a reminder of the values of dedication and giving instilled by the UAE’s founding father.

Also, embossed on the box is an image of a tree of values, highlighting the UAE’s core values of giving, moderation and tolerance - a fitting reminder in the UAE’s Year of Tolerance.

The commemorative coin is handed to all UAE citizens holding family books upon the completion of passport procedures.

Attending the meeting were Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Saif Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan; Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and   Theyab Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.