The UAE is known as a global humanitarian aid hub. Recently, the country celebrated the World Humanitarian Day, with serious dedication to global philanthropic work.
The UAE has a special interest to celebrate this occasion, both on the official and social levels, as it seeks to open new doors on hope. Humanitarian aid makes no distinction on race, ethnicity or gender.
As part of the celebration of the World Humanitarian Day in the UAE and in line with declaring 2018 as The Year of Zayed, I recently attended the launch of the Wajeb Volunteer Team, a unique national volunteer initiative that will work under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan. Wajeb is Arabic for duty. His Highness stressed that the mission of this group is national volunteering and community service.
Volunteerism is not a luxury or a pastime; it is a profound national message. We can raise the awareness of the youth about volunteerism by linking it to good citizenship. Everyone wants to serve his country, so, opening the doors of community service volunteers will help moving the nation-wide project of altruism and giving forward, especially as more young people join.
Loyal to the State and the wise leadership, our talented young people are needed to engage in such new initiatives as Wajeb. 2017 is Aam al-Khair and the next year will be Aam Zayed so giving and helping will continue and we have to double efforts to make our country a leading humanitarian actor and meet the expectations of our people and the leadership in the field of social work.
Altruistic and positive values are deeply rooted in the land of Zayed. Since December 2, 1971, the federation of the Emirates constitutionalized and enacted a moral and ethical system. In 2014, The UAE gave a total of about 173 billion UAD worth of aid to 178 countries, and it is the world’s major humanitarian aid donor.
The Wajeb initiative, launched recently by Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, is a new addition to the institutional volunteering work in the UAE and it will help more members of society be involved in social work.
Leading and sponsoring initiatives like this one reflects the culture of giving in the Emirati society and underscores the deep loyalty and strong ties between the people and the wise leadership. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, inspire us all to support volunteerism and shared responsibility and encourage our young people to make a positive impact in society.
