UAE to get ministers for happiness and tolerance
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DUBAI: United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon get a happiness and a tolerance minister as Premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced on Monday on his official Twitter account.
According to Sheikh Maktoum, the job of happiness minister will be to 'align and drive government policy to create social good and satisfaction' while the tolerance minister will 'promote tolerance as a fundamental value in UAE society'.
The ministries are introduced as a part of 'largest structural change in the history' of UAE's federal government' announced after the World Government Summit in Dubai on Monday.
The series of tweets sent out to coincide with the summit did not offer a time frame for when the plans would be implemented.
However, they come amid a months long push by the 66-year-old ruler focused on happiness in his emirate, which is known for its futuristic skyscrapers and a liberal disposition.
The United Arab Emirates is a federation composed of seven autonomously ruled emirates. The ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, serves as the country's president.
Sheikh Mohammed said the changes in the federal government came after he consulted with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi's crown prince
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Comments (49) Closed
Feb 09, 2016 10:49pm
Good initiative.
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Feb 09, 2016 10:51pm
Great Idea!... Can we also have a minister of happiness, tolerance and peace in India... Minorities have been longing for some ray of hope... May be this would work...
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Feb 09, 2016 10:55pm
This should be headed by a woman......if it has to mean something.
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Feb 09, 2016 11:16pm
We need a minister for common sense.
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Feb 09, 2016 11:39pm
First, I thought it was joke. After reading the article, I realized it's for real. I want that job. I wonder what qualifications I would require to get that job? Being happy?
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Feb 09, 2016 11:55pm
How about couple of ministers and ministries in UAE for equality, fairness and equal rights and treatment for all irrespective of their nationalities, color, ethnicity, age, gender, race, class, family background, tribal association and national origin?
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Feb 10, 2016 12:18am
@Ahmed USA That comment was not necessary. Najma Heptulla is the Minister of Minority Affairs in Modi's cabinet. She has been actively involved in the issues related to women and minorities. Apart from being a politician, Heptulla is also a prolific writer.
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Feb 10, 2016 01:02am
Would these ministries also work for foreign workers?
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Feb 10, 2016 01:05am
UAE is only hope for arabs who wants peace and growth beyond free oil money.
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Feb 10, 2016 01:27am
Other than a couple of jobs for relatives, these so called ministries are no more than a luni joke, laughable at best. These portfolios, around the world, fall under the jurisdiction of ministry of home affairs. Were these policies non-existent in the UAE prior to this announcement? Makes one wonder!
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Feb 10, 2016 01:35am
I would rather describe them as a "nation of shopping malls and hotels". All artificial and cosmetic, sorry to say.
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Feb 10, 2016 01:36am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Spot on Doc!
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Feb 10, 2016 01:51am
To accommodate two more family members in the government.
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Feb 10, 2016 02:05am
@Imran A. I reckon they would brefer an arab for the job
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Feb 10, 2016 02:17am
great leader he is. i wish pakistan has one of this kind.
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Feb 10, 2016 02:24am
Most progressive Islamic nation but far behind Pakistan
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Feb 10, 2016 02:28am
@Ahmed USA Please don't indulge in unnecessary mudslinging to prove your point. It is my humble request to you.
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Feb 10, 2016 02:30am
@Gourishankar ... and the story goes... Dr. Najma Akbarali Heptulla is a grand-niece of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad... She is also a second cousin to actor Aamir Khan whose security was recently withdrawn in response to his comment/concern about rising intolerance in India... Largest democracy or hypocrisy...? Choose one… but be honest...
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Feb 10, 2016 02:33am
How about Minister for HUMAN RIGHTS?
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Feb 10, 2016 02:36am
Congrats for 2 new ministries, but plz do not allow economic fugitives to stay in UAE. Many such corrupt politicians are living in UAE plz kick them back to Pakistan.
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Feb 10, 2016 02:37am
The first project of Minister of Happiness: Happiness Mall
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Feb 10, 2016 02:44am
I don't know if it is just me, UAE looks like a country that is anything but Arab. And it seems to foster that impression that every glossy,glittering and shining thing can buy you happiness. It can't.
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Feb 10, 2016 04:18am
Now that's progress. Something Pakistan needs
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Feb 10, 2016 04:47am
@Muhammad Lo ji, if Nawaz Sharif appointed a minister of "happiness", I'm sure you'll be raging about corruption and injustice against the awam.
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Feb 10, 2016 04:58am
Your Majesty Sheikh Mohammad
Appoint a democracy Minister, who can work for peoples government.
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Feb 10, 2016 05:02am
No doubts that Premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been working hard to transform UAE into a real welfare state. He introduced and implemented new labour laws in UAE from 1 Jan 2016. The system in UAE is for better than the countries claiming to be democratic.
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Feb 10, 2016 05:15am
They need a minister for "Non Discrimination",between Arab & NON Arab.
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Feb 10, 2016 05:32am
@Impartial where would the money come from them?
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Feb 10, 2016 06:24am
@Ahmed USA I want to see a minister for happiness, tolerance and peace with India as people of both countries want peace and brotherly relations.
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Feb 10, 2016 06:43am
Although I would laugh for a minute , but all in all its a good thing. Well Done UAE.
Now that you are at it .. how about Ministry Of Humanity ...
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Feb 10, 2016 09:15am
@Ahmed USA Ahmed.... Indians will know what to do best. Dont need foreigners to advise.
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Feb 10, 2016 09:35am
@Ahmed USA I disagree with you but am tolerant enough to respect your views
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Feb 10, 2016 09:48am
@Gourishankar You should not give shut up comments to people who want to raise their voices. This attitude is against the spirit of democracy.
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Feb 10, 2016 09:57am
That's fresh, considering they are helping spread nothing but misery among ordinary Syrians and bombing Houtis/Shiats in Yemen out of existence.
You can create all the ministries you like, but the mindset and policies are dictated by the big brother next door - KSA.
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Feb 10, 2016 10:07am
To many royal kids these days
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Feb 10, 2016 10:17am
well come to India today your highness.
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Feb 10, 2016 10:21am
It seem to be corrective action plan of previous made mistakes. East clashes west and with cultural modernization at very accelerated pace. Dubai listed as top 10 sin city and effort to change the image.
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Feb 10, 2016 10:49am
Pay and house all the poor labourers decently, they'll be happy.
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Feb 10, 2016 11:04am
To truly increase happiness among the locals and expat residents, how about changing the title of the 'Royalties' from His/Her Highness to 'His or Her Humbleness'.
And promote tolerance between the two, teach the locals how to smile, instead of looking dour and emotionless all the time.
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Feb 10, 2016 11:10am
@Gourishankar ... Don't plead... Just be tolerant... and thanks for helping prove the point... :)
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Feb 10, 2016 11:16am
@Ahmed USA Amir Khan doesnt need any police security. Actors from all around the world hire personal bodyguards on salary. These days any sadak chap politicians and actors wants to have personal police security just to show their superiority. This trend need to stop!
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Feb 10, 2016 11:19am
@Ahmed USA any advice for your own?
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Feb 10, 2016 11:44am
@bryan ... When "will" they know... How much time you need... :)
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Feb 10, 2016 11:46am
@Tolerant Indian ... Haha... then you are my tolerant friend...
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Feb 10, 2016 12:26pm
I have a feeling the millions of non-Dubai citizens who provide low wage labor will remain outside the purview of this new ministry of happiness.
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Feb 10, 2016 12:31pm
In the pecking order of Dubai the Ministry will cater to "happiness" of Dubai citizens first and foremost, even at the expense of happiness of others. To paraphrase George Orwell - all will be happy but some will be more happy than others.
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Feb 10, 2016 12:34pm
@AJ Or they will be told by the Ministry of Tolerance to accept the conditions of their employment in the country or leave.
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Feb 10, 2016 05:51pm
Any verbal interaction between the Happiness Minister and the French will be most interesting; might even require intervention from the Tolerance Minister ;)
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Feb 11, 2016 03:22am
@Akram
Sir, we do not have honest, hard working people with moderation in the Pakistan. They are working in the foreign countries to support their families.
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