Page 150 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - MAY 2025 (ENGLISH)

5/29/25, 5:05 PM Nahyan bin Mubarak: We learnt from Zayed that 'identity' and 'tolerance' are not slogans but interconnected actions - Aletihad News…
The competition serves as a platform that embraces everyone, inviting them to share their stories, achievements, and
perspectives on life in the UAE and enhancing their sense of belonging and responsibility. It is not limited to
documentation alone - it also opens the door to constructive community dialogue and stimulates creativity in
expressing identity and diversity. This is fully in line with the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin
Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him, which is based on the belief that society is the foundation of the future, and
that a strong social fabric is a source of pride and stability for us in the UAE.

Which social groups are eligible to participate in the "My UAE Story" competition?

The initiative is open to everyone without exception. We welcome contributions from citizens and residents of all
nationalities - young and old, students and teachers, employees and workers, artists and writers, even those who have
never participated in a cultural activity before.

We want the initiative to reflect the full diversity of Emirati society. There are five age categories, starting from early
childhood up to those aged over sixty. We were keen to ensure that there are no age, professional, or linguistic
restrictions. The competition accepts entries in both Arabic and English, and in multiple forms of creative writing. Our
goal is for each individual to find their own way of expressing their life in the UAE, whether through personal
experiences, touching human stories, or moments they felt pride and honour living here.

What are the main topics covered by the competition? And how can everyone participate, given its focus on
linking values and history with the country's present, its renaissance, ambitions, and hopes? Is there a

specific mechanism for participation?

The "My UAE Story" competition addresses a wide range of themes, all centred on the values deeply rooted in our
society, meaningful personal experiences, the bond between people and the country, individual and collective
achievements, and stories that exemplify coexistence, cooperation, and unity.

In addition, it focuses on topics such as personal success stories, tolerance and openness, family history in the UAE,
everyday life in communities, schools and workplaces, cultural diversity, and moments that reflect the cohesive nature
of Emirati society. These themes can be expressed through essays, articles, short stories, poetry, or other forms of
expression in either Arabic or English.

We have ensured that participation is easy and offers multiple submission channels. Individuals can submit a written
text via the competition's official website. We have put forward clear guidelines to ensure authenticity and ethical
integrity.

We have also assigned technical and community support teams to assist those wishing to participate, especially
students and senior citizens. The website we launched contains all the necessary information and answers to common
queries. Above all, we aim to engage every member of the community.

You launched the slogan "The Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence is a ministry that works with everyone
for everyone". Similarly, your approach at Sandooq Al Watan aims to serve all segments of society. What roles
do institutions - government, educational, private - play in supporting the competition?

We firmly believe that social responsibility is not the sole duty of any particular entity, but rather a shared system where
everyone works with everyone for everyone. Therefore, the role of government institutions is to encourage

https://en.aletihad.ae/news/uae/4578493/nahyan-bin-mubarak--we-learnt-from-zayed-that--identity--and 5/7