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- Dubai 04:36 05:52 12:21 15:49 18:45 20:02
Emirati society which has traditionally been open to other cultures, has the right to preserve its national identity. (FILE)
Dubai Police Chief Lt General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim recommended a quota system for all nationalities in the UAE to keep the expat population in the country in check, it has been reported this morning.
According to Khaleej Times, the Dubai Police head made the comment while reaffirming his remarks made to a television channel on Saturday that expats are a threat to the national identity of Emiratis as well as GCC nationals.
Dhahi had on Saturday made the comments on Qatar TV, likening the case of GCC nationals to that of the outnumbered Red Indians in the US.
Speaking to the daily, he said the Emirati society, which has traditionally been open to other cultures, has the right to preserve its national identity.
The outspoken police chief warned that expatriates may endanger the identity of the UAE nationals in a way that they could influence the culture and the language of the local children, noting that expatriates have brought with them many things that are today misunderstood to be the traditional elements of Emirati culture.
“Today Emiratis are very concerned about their national identity, as the number of foreigners is rising rapidly and nationals are now a minority in their own country. To keep the balance, I recommended a quota system that would ensure that the number of other nationalities should not be more than UAE nationals and Arabs.”
However, he reassured that the country has no hostilities towards foreigners. “But we are concerned about losing our identity, heritage and language. The new generation of Emiratis feel increasingly isolated and expatriates could not observe Emirati culture and adapt to it.”
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