The UAE sets a good example for the rest of the Arab world, said former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo at the Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis on Tuesday.
Mr Pompeo said the UAE has continuously worked to foster peace and harmony in the Middle East and that is something others countries in the region can follow.
The UAE, US and Israel signed the Abraham Accords in 2020. The historic agreement helped to bring different cultures and religions closer together.
I met a couple of Emirati engineers. I was once an engineer when I was a young man and they put my knowledge to shame
Mike Pompeo,
former US secretary of state
Mr Pompeo said he was highly impressed by the empowerment of women in the Emirates.
“Equality of men and women is the guiding principle of the UAE and enshrined in the American constitution,” he said.
“Your [Sheikh Mohamed’s] resolute actions towards ensuring that the women of your nation hold the same standards as men is a standard for the entire region – these actions have precipitated change far outside your borders.
“I saw statistics that said that 80 per cent of Emirati women are enrolled in higher education and many [are] specialising in Stem subjects – that is fantastic," he said.
According to a 2014 Economist Intelligence Unit survey, 85 per cent of the Emirati women that were polled studied Stem.
“I met a couple of Emirati engineers. I was once an engineer when I was a young man and they put my knowledge to shame," he said.
“Your nation’s first female fighter pilot led air strikes in her F-16 against ISIS. She supported your country and our efforts collectively to crush evil and extremists.”
Mr Pompeo said it was remarkable to see how American, UAE and Israeli soldiers trained together last week.
He said they were doing “God’s work in securing our people’s freedom together. This is real history brought about by our central shared understanding”.
Mr Pompeo, a devout Christian, said he believes that faith and family are irreplaceable, intertwined and crucial to making progress.
The US diplomat said we need to ask ourselves what kind of future we want for our children.
“Do we want barbarism that rules the world or decent people who want good things for every human being?” he said.
“Do we want reason and love to dominate the globe or do we want those who wish ill and seek only power and wealth for themselves?”
Mr Pompeo said honouring family ties is essential to ward off communist and totalistic regimes.
“We all have to make sure that we never put the state’s ambition between a parent and his children.
“This encroachment by government creates risks and must be fought so that the family must be honoured and never disrespected.
“The nature of the Arab family shines a light in a world where so many children do not know their parents or are away from them.
“I perceive the entirety of Middle East as God’s shelter for it was here that the three great Abrahamic faiths began and grew to illuminate the world."
Mike Pompeo on a visit to Abu Dhabi in 2019 - in pictures
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The five pillars of Islam
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
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
MATCH INFO
League Cup, last 16
Manchester City v Southampton, Tuesday, 11.45pm (UAE)
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
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.
