Page 5 - Sept Oct Issue
P. 5
Overview of the United Arab Emirates
International non-governmental organizations Overseeing the FSC are the rulers from each of the seven
(NGOs) have ranked the UAE as having among the emirates. In addition to the FSC, there are both secular
least free political systems in the world. In particular, and Islam courts in all seven emirates. The secular courts
such studies have highlighted the existence of the in the UAE rule on criminal, civil, and commercial
‘sheikh’s dilemma’ in the UAE, in which economic matters. Family and religious disputes are heard in the
but not political reform is pursued. To maintain Islamic courts. Each emirate has their own government
peace, a ‘ruling bargain’ is implemented where the with municipalities and departments.
UAE government distributes oil wealth equitably,
while also carefully exploiting a range of ideological, There is a high degree of political stability in the UAE,
religious, and cultural resources. and it is the only Arab state to have a working federal
system that withstood the test of time. Furthermore, there
Others simply state that the UAE exhibits a are many women in all levels of government. This is
monarchical presidency led by ruling families on a positive relection on the UAE given its Middle East
neo-patrimonial lines. location.
Following the British withdrawal, Sheikh Zayed bin Sheikh Zayed had a foreign policy to not use force over
Sultan Al Nahyan became the irst president. Sheikh compromise and to become a major donor of overseas
Zayed, once Emir (or ruler) of Abu Dhabi, ruled as aid, such as infrastructure development and humanitarian
UAE’s president for over thirty years until his death relief.
on November 2, 2004. Due to oil wealth, Sheikh
Zayed became one of the richest individuals in the Sheikh Kahlifa developed a foreign policy of non-
world with an estimated net worth in excess of $24 interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
billion (USD). Following his death, the eldest son of He also supported the pursuit of peaceful resolutions
Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of disputes. The UAE has provided support to the Iraqi
became President of the UAE. Sheikh Khalifa is Government in the form of debt forgiveness and is a
the world’s third richest member of a royal family, strong advocate of instilling peace in the Middle East
with an estimated net worth of $19 billion (USD). with help primarily from the USA. In addition, the
The presidency of UAE is decided by a vote by UAE promotes intercultural and interfaith dialogues
the Federal Supreme Court (FSC), a governmental with the primary goal of mitigating misunderstanding
entity in the UAE rather than through an electoral or between faiths and cultures with the belief that such
popular vote. Political parties are strictly prohibited. misunderstandings are used as leverage by terrorists and
those who harbor them.
The UAE’s highest authority is the Supreme Council
of Rulers (SCR). The SCR is given power to initiate There is strong support in the UAE for international
policy and reject laws that have been previously institutions such as the United Nations. The UAE
passed. Seven hereditary rulers and sometimes their signed or ratiied laws to protect the rights of people
crown princes and closest advisors have control of with disabilities and hosted conventions to eradicate
this governing body. Subordinate to the SCR is the torture and cruelty in punishment, suppression of nuclear
Federal Council of Ministers (COM). The bulk of terrorism and combating human traficking. Illicit drugs
UAE’s policies and daily affairs are formulated by are another problem, as its proximity to South Asia
the COM, which meets more frequently and formally makes it a drug transshipment point for trafickers.
than the SCR. The judicial branch of government Furthermore, being a major inancial center, the UAE
is run by the Union Supreme Court. Judges are is at risk of harboring money laundering schemes. The
appointed directly by the UAE president. international community is seeking the UAE government
to implement controls to mitigate these problems. The
The FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE is also a supporter of peaceful resolutions in
UAE and has both legislative and executive powers. Palestinians with the support of the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC).
5
International non-governmental organizations Overseeing the FSC are the rulers from each of the seven
(NGOs) have ranked the UAE as having among the emirates. In addition to the FSC, there are both secular
least free political systems in the world. In particular, and Islam courts in all seven emirates. The secular courts
such studies have highlighted the existence of the in the UAE rule on criminal, civil, and commercial
‘sheikh’s dilemma’ in the UAE, in which economic matters. Family and religious disputes are heard in the
but not political reform is pursued. To maintain Islamic courts. Each emirate has their own government
peace, a ‘ruling bargain’ is implemented where the with municipalities and departments.
UAE government distributes oil wealth equitably,
while also carefully exploiting a range of ideological, There is a high degree of political stability in the UAE,
religious, and cultural resources. and it is the only Arab state to have a working federal
system that withstood the test of time. Furthermore, there
Others simply state that the UAE exhibits a are many women in all levels of government. This is
monarchical presidency led by ruling families on a positive relection on the UAE given its Middle East
neo-patrimonial lines. location.
Following the British withdrawal, Sheikh Zayed bin Sheikh Zayed had a foreign policy to not use force over
Sultan Al Nahyan became the irst president. Sheikh compromise and to become a major donor of overseas
Zayed, once Emir (or ruler) of Abu Dhabi, ruled as aid, such as infrastructure development and humanitarian
UAE’s president for over thirty years until his death relief.
on November 2, 2004. Due to oil wealth, Sheikh
Zayed became one of the richest individuals in the Sheikh Kahlifa developed a foreign policy of non-
world with an estimated net worth in excess of $24 interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
billion (USD). Following his death, the eldest son of He also supported the pursuit of peaceful resolutions
Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of disputes. The UAE has provided support to the Iraqi
became President of the UAE. Sheikh Khalifa is Government in the form of debt forgiveness and is a
the world’s third richest member of a royal family, strong advocate of instilling peace in the Middle East
with an estimated net worth of $19 billion (USD). with help primarily from the USA. In addition, the
The presidency of UAE is decided by a vote by UAE promotes intercultural and interfaith dialogues
the Federal Supreme Court (FSC), a governmental with the primary goal of mitigating misunderstanding
entity in the UAE rather than through an electoral or between faiths and cultures with the belief that such
popular vote. Political parties are strictly prohibited. misunderstandings are used as leverage by terrorists and
those who harbor them.
The UAE’s highest authority is the Supreme Council
of Rulers (SCR). The SCR is given power to initiate There is strong support in the UAE for international
policy and reject laws that have been previously institutions such as the United Nations. The UAE
passed. Seven hereditary rulers and sometimes their signed or ratiied laws to protect the rights of people
crown princes and closest advisors have control of with disabilities and hosted conventions to eradicate
this governing body. Subordinate to the SCR is the torture and cruelty in punishment, suppression of nuclear
Federal Council of Ministers (COM). The bulk of terrorism and combating human traficking. Illicit drugs
UAE’s policies and daily affairs are formulated by are another problem, as its proximity to South Asia
the COM, which meets more frequently and formally makes it a drug transshipment point for trafickers.
than the SCR. The judicial branch of government Furthermore, being a major inancial center, the UAE
is run by the Union Supreme Court. Judges are is at risk of harboring money laundering schemes. The
appointed directly by the UAE president. international community is seeking the UAE government
to implement controls to mitigate these problems. The
The FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE is also a supporter of peaceful resolutions in
UAE and has both legislative and executive powers. Palestinians with the support of the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC).
5
