The women’s majlis: Military service can be good for the UAE



Each month, Weekend will pose a different question to be debated on by a series of female Emirati columnists. This week, we ask Sarah Ebrahim Beddah Al Awadhi:

What are your thoughts on the newly announced military-service law for both men and women?

The United Arab Emirates is a country where generosity speaks through actions. In other words, whatever the UAE does, it is always more than enough. Sometimes, we feel like we are in heaven.

I am thankful for being a UAE local and so proud of my country. But, when I say that I am a proud Emirati, it sounds wrong somehow. I am proud of my country, but am I proud of myself? As a local, am I giving enough in return? Am I doing things that make me a true proud Emirati?

Serving and giving back to my country was always a goal on my bucket list. And after hearing about the passing of the new military-service legislation by the UAE Cabinet in January, I believed that the time had come when I have a chance to achieve my goal.

The legislation decrees that military service is mandatory for all Emirati men between the ages of 18 and 30, and an optional choice for Emirati women.

Emiratis who have finished secondary school will complete nine months of service, while those who have not will serve for two years.

Speaking frankly, getting yourself into military service and serving your nation is not an easy task. One must commit when one decides to take this path.

Representing your country is a huge responsibility. I’m saying that because I’m already representing the UAE every day via my actions, at events and at the places that I go where I’m the only local, as well as in the way that I network, in regards to my culture and traditions.

When it comes to Islam, it doesn’t forbid military service for women. And, in many other countries, military service is a mandatory duty.

However, as a girl living in Arab society and adhering to Middle Eastern culture, it’s going to be somehow difficult to go on a nine-month period of military service. And as military is traditionally a man’s job, it’s complicated when it comes to convincing your parents and families that what you have decided to do is the correct choice.

On the other hand, the UAE is supporting this decision by making it a mandatory thing for Emirati men and showing how important the duty is for the ­country.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said: “Protecting the nation and preserving its independence and sovereignty is a sacred national duty.”

I’m satisfied by this decision that the UAE made towards a better future. It’s time for us, as Emiratis, to step up and handle the responsibilities of our nation.

I am committed to joining for the nine-month military service and becoming a truly proud Emirati.

Sarah Ebrahim Beddah Al Awadhi works in a digital marketing department, and has degrees in marketing and politics.

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Engine: 5-litre V8

Gearbox: eight-speed automatic

Power: 420hp

Torque: 505Nm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L/100km

Price: Dh260,500

THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

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MATCH INFO

FA Cup final

Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)

Manchester United 0

Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

Results:

6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres

Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m

Winner: Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m

Winner: Spotify, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm: UAE Oakes | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m

Winner: Divine Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m

Winner: Mythical Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m

Winner: Major Partnership, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Rating: 2/5
 
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

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NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

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Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

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Poacher
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