An initiative has been launched giving people in the UAE the opportunity to tell the stories of unsung heroes who helped shape the nation over its first 50 years.
The Early Dreamers project was announced by the UAE’s Golden Jubilee Committee in association with the Federal Youth Authority on Sunday.
This first phase lasts until June 30, when the focus will switch to "current and future dreamers".
The holy month of Ramadan is an ideal opportunity to explore these stories
“We are a nation of dreamers who do," said Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth and a member of the UAE Golden Jubilee Committee.
"From the early dreamers who helped build our country from the ground up, to the dreamers of today who work tirelessly to build on that foundation, to the dreamers of tomorrow, like our youth, who will one day lead our country forward.
“To celebrate the Year of the 50th, we want to hear from these dreamers. Through our Early Dreamers, we hope to give names and faces to the people whose ambitions have contributed to the UAE’s success story," Ms Al Mazrui said.
“These dreamers can be found in every household across the country.
"Hearing their stories will help us understand what it took to get to where we are today, and allow us to recognise and celebrate their contributions as we prepare for the future.”
Residents are urged to interview friends and family who they think would be suitable for the project and upload their story and pictures to the www.UAEyearof.ae website.
The project will help to bring old and young together, said Saeed Al Nazari, director general of the Federal Youth Authority.
“The Early Dreamers initiative is an ideal opportunity for young people to get acquainted with the stories of those heroes who built this country and spearheaded its development,” he said.
“It is essential that young people play a part in telling these stories; it allows them to truly grasp all that has happened in the past 50 years, and motivates them to plan the next 50 years.”
Mr Al Nazari said the objective is to create a written record of the lives of the "unsung heroes" who helped to make the UAE the country it is.
“The holy month of Ramadan is an ideal opportunity to explore these stories,” he said.
“We invite young people in the UAE – of all nationalities, cultures and religions – to make the most of the time they spend with their families to learn the stories of the first ‘Dreamers', and pass them on.”
Top moments in UAE history: in pictures
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War 2
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Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
