The late Mahatma Gandhi said that “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. So when the President, Sheikh Khalifa, issued a Federal Law to directly address the issue of animal cruelty in the UAE we knew exactly where the country’s moral compass was pointing.
Everything from the ownership of exotic or wild animals to the treatment of household pets and urban wildlife was covered, with strict penalties, including jail terms and fines, to anyone who commits animal abuse.
When I first posted the article on my social media pages the announcement was met with cheers and love from all. However, one question was raised: “So why is SeaWorld coming to Abu Dhabi?”
Abu Dhabi has agreed a partnership with SeaWorld to build a marine theme park on Yas Island, the first SeaWorld outside of the United States.
In the past few years SeaWorld has come under increasing scrutiny from animal rights organisations, activists and the public due to its treatment, captivity and breeding of marine mammals, namely the performing orcas – better known as killer whales – that were the centre of the 2013 documentary BlackFish. The "star" of BlackFish, an orca called Tilikum, died recently.
The documentary hit SeaWorld hard, attendances dropped, profits in 2015 fell by 84 per cent, and a new chief executive, Joel Manby, was announced in mid-2015.
SeaWorld has done a lot to change. Last year it halted its orca shows and breeding programmes, and shifted its focus to education and awareness. Now where does Abu Dhabi fit into all of this? Well, I think it is important to first state Abu Dhabi’s position on the environment in general and more specifically the marine environment.
The emirate has always placed incredible importance on wildlife and development in which the wildlife thrives as well as our economy. When the dugong – or sea cow – was put on the endangered list the Emirates Environment Agency developed programmes that have seen dugong numbers grow in the UAE to become the second largest population of dugongs worldwide after Australia, at approximately 7,000.
It has established Marine Protection Areas to protect habitats and species across the UAE (of which there are 60). Furthermore, it continuously set in place regulations and programmes to support fishery resources and provide stakeholders the necessary resources and information to make more responsible decisions.
When SeaWorld comes to Abu Dhabi, what exactly is it going to look like? Well, in addition to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi being the first SeaWorld outside the US, it will also be the first SeaWorld without orcas. Before SeaWorld Abu Dhabi actually opens SeaWorld will launch a 4-R – research, rescue, rehabilitation and return – facility on Yas Island. This is for organisations to better understand the marine life of the UAE in order to create programmes and regulations to better protect and support it. In its defence this work isn’t new to SeaWorld – to date it has rescued more than 25,000 animals and continues to donate millions of dollars to environmental research and initiatives around the world.
However, this is the work that Abu Dhabi wants to attract and ensure is at the centre of SeaWorld’s presence in the emirate.
For any organisation that wants to pick a place to potentially harm animals or wildlife, the UAE would be the last country it would want to be in.
I can’t speak for SeaWorld, but what I can speak of, however, is how my country looks to the future. We are not perfect, but we work hard to be a country that builds and prides itself on the growth and sustainability of wildlife. They are national treasures for us and if SeaWorld is looking to build a corporation that creates experiences that matter for the environment and the people alike, Abu Dhabi might be the best place to start.
Khalid Al Ameri is an Emirati columnist and social commentator. He lives in Abu Dhabi with his wife and two sons.
The five pillars of Islam
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
The years Ramadan fell in May
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More coverage from the Future Forum
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
