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19 March 2024

Crown Prince Hamdan's website unveiled

Published
By Wam/Bindu Suresh Rai

The official website of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, was officially launched today, Commemorating the anniversary of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed's accession as the Crown Prince of Dubai.

The website (www.hamdan.ae) reflects Sheikh Hamdan's continuing care to enhance communication with UAE citizens and residents and boost connections with those who want to know about the UAE, its people, its culture and its remarkable economic and lifestyle opportunities.

The website is a vehicle to explore Sheikh Hamdan's personality. It is a channel to learn about his most important engagements as a public figure. It details how the Crown Prince of Dubai has steadfastly contributed to strengthening the foundations of the past and on-going comprehensive advancements in the United Arab Emirates under the wise leadership of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The website is registered under both Arabic and English domain names. It is highly user-friendly and is designed to facilitate maximum ease of browsing for visitors. The categorization of information, news, photos and videos was prepared according to the highest international standards in terms of design and content. Latest technologies have been adopted in creating the website's infrastructure and configuration to ensure both a world-class product and experience.

Commenting on the occasion, Director General of the Office of the Crown Prince of Dubai Saif Bin Markhan Al Ketbi said: "We are used to Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed's intimacy with people, and his passionate desire you connect with public, which is an original leadership quality he learned from his father and mentor His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Today, the official website of the Crown Prince of Dubai is a new window that shall boost these connections and provide a gateway for people inside and outside the country to get acquainted with the most important information related to His Highness.

The project is launched in collaboration with the Government of Dubai Media Office, and it constitutes an ideal platform for Sheikh Hamdan's social media channels.

Al Ketbi added: "The Crown Prince Office mobilized all required technical capabilities to make sure that the website stands up to highest international standards in terms of design and content. We are glad to add a new communication platform. Also, we are very happy to boost cooperation with the Government of Dubai Media Office that provided the entire content for the website, and will under carry the responsibility for updating the website with the news and other materials.

This task falls under the competency and responsibility of the Government of Dubai Media Office as the media platform responsible for the media coverage of Sheikh Hamdan's engagements. The experience and human capabilities in the Media Office will play significant role in making the website the first source for His Highness' news.

Director of Media Development in the Government of Dubai Media Office Salem Belyouha said: "Government of Dubai Media Office was keen that the content of the website will reflects the personality of Sheikh Hamdan, and also to cover various aspects about Dubai's history, former rulers and the Crown Prince's biography. The news section forms an important component, and it will be updated on daily bases to keep up with Sheikh Hamdan's activities, engagements and directives that affect peoples' life in Dubai."

Belyouha concluded: "pursuant to the values that the Media Office adopts as a specialized media and information platform, we will implement the highest levels of accuracy and punctuality; moreover, the Government of Dubai Media Office will apply world-class standards to assure contents' quality and credibility. Our teams will give highest priority to His Highness' website as he is one of the most important young leaders in the Middle East, and we hope that we will stand up to the responsibility that we are honored to carry.

The website has a unique classification system which enables visitors to browse through Sheikh Hamdan's latest news, high-resolution photos and high-definition videos without loss of quality or loading time.

Additionally, visitors can connect directly with the Crown Prince of Dubai via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube since www.hamdan.ae homepage connects directly with Sheikh Hamdan's personal accounts. Sheikh Hamdan's social media channels attract massive attention locally, regionally and globally.

One of the unique elements of the website is that on its homepage, Sheikh Hamdan has dedicated a special section called "The Leader" for his father, his leader and his mentor -- His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It is a defining section which details what a son, a student and a Crown Prince thinks of his father. Sheikh Hamdan says he is a student in Sheikh Mohammed's school where he learned -- and continues to learn every day -- leadership skills, a high sense of responsibility, ambition, discipline, wisdom and patience.

The 'News' section is another key element. It is one of the most important and vibrant sections acting as the official portal for Sheikh Hamdan's news, activities and public engagements.

The website illustrates some of Sheikh Hamdan's most important economic, cultural and community-related initiatives. The Dubai Crown Prince's initiatives aim to positively impact life in Dubai and contribute in boosting its position as an Arabian city of global standards. Some of these initiatives are the 2008 'National Identity' initiative, the '1971 Initiative' and the 'My Community, A City for Everyone' initiative that aims at making Dubai a highly welcoming and friendly city for people with disabilities and special needs.

In the Economy segment, the website presents details of Sheikh Hamdan's launch of some of Dubai's most important economic pillars like Dubai Centrefor Islamic Banking and Finance, Dubai Green Economy Partnership and the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart Government Programme.

Under his cultural agenda, Sheikh Hamdan has launched several initiatives like the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre, Hamdan bin Mohammed Initiative for Literary Creativity and the globally-renowned Hamdan bin Mohammed International Photography Award.

The website is also a platform to acquaint visitors with Sheikh Hamdan's varied sports activities and achievements, especially in equestrian sports and camels racing.

The webpage touches on Sheikh Hamdan's strong bond with horses and equestrian sports since his early childhood and how he evolved in the sport to become the World Champions in Endurance races and amass a huge record of achievements.

Sheikh Hamdan's website is a gateway to Dubai's most prominent achievements that were commenced and implemented under the Dubai Crown Prince's supervision, following directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Highlighting these achievements demonstrates Dubai's endeavour to occupy the leading position globally and presenting itself as one of the fastest growing cities on Earth.

These achievements include Burj Khalifa, the tallest building by far in the globe; Dubai World Central, home of the world's largest airport - Al Maktoum International Airport - and a master-planned aeropolis propelling the emirate's economy into the future; Dubai Metro, a driverless fully-automated metro rail network, and Expo 2020, the largest and most prestigious exhibition in the world to be hosted for the first time in the Arab World in Dubai.

The website provides information about Sheikh Hamdan's biography and showcases glimpses from his life, detailing his childhood, and his ancestry that descends from theAl Bu Falasah section of the BaniYas, a highly respected and authoritative tribal federation that was the dominant power throughout most of what is now the UAE.

The biography also presents Sheikh Hamdan's educational path until his graduation from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, United Kingdom, in 2001.

The biography of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also sheds light on his career since he assumed his first public position as Chairman of Dubai Executive Council in 2006 -- and then as Crown Prince of Dubai in February 2008.

Throughout his public service, Sheikh Hamdan has continued to playa significant role in implementing the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He has worked at Sheikh Mohammed's side to establish Dubai as a world-class tourism destination, an international hub for commerce and business and a regional vehicle for development, growth and prosperity.

The website offers a briefon the magic of poetry in Sheikh Hamdan's life and introduces his poetic character, the well-known "Fazza" - the name under which he publishes his poems. About poetry Sheikh Hamdan says: "Perhaps, through my poems, I can bring joy to people and lessen their sorrow by speaking their ambitions and hopes and draw attention to the genuine Emirati values." The website presents over 200 poems of Sheikh Hamdan's most important Nabati poetry, the vernacular poetry of the Arabian tribes that Sheikh Hamdan mastered since his childhood.

In consonance with the launch of the official website of the Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a special app for iPhone and Android users has also been launched to enable the public to have direct connection to Sheikh Hamdan's website via smartphones.

The new app allows users to have direct access to any news, photos, videos or information posted in his website.

It enables users to stay connected with the website and learn about the updates. The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play by searching common words like "Hamdan", "Sheikh Hamdan", "Maktoum", "Dubai Crown Prince" or other related words.

Stamp issued on accession anniversary

Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre, in association with Emirates Post Group, issued a commemorative stamp on the accession anniversary of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, as Crown Prince of Dubai.

The commemorative stamp has been issued in denomination of Dh3, along with a distinguished first day cover.
 
Ibrahim Bin Karam, Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates Post Group, while extending greetings to Sheikh Hamdan, said: "Emirates Post Group is pleased to join hands with Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre to issue this distinctive stamp to commemorate the first anniversary of the accession of the Crown Prince of Dubai. It is an occasion we cherish dearly, and are delighted to acknowledge his critical role at this juncture of the country’s growth and development.”

Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmouk, President of Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre, said: “One of the most important national responsibilities carried out by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and President of Executive Council, is the promotion of a national identity in the hearts of UAE people. The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre was set up to revive our heritage and pass it on to the new generations of Emiratis, Arabs and foreigners residing in the country. It also seeks to raise awareness of the Emirati heritage within and outside the country through printed and visual material and serve as a valuable source for UAE heritage in its various forms: literature, language, social and sports.”

"The Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre is proud to celebrate the anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum as Crown Prince of Dubai, who is the chief motivator of the preservation of Emirati heritage and national identity,” he added.

Twitter contest launched on Crown Prince's anniversary

Commemorating the sixth anniversary of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s accession as the Crown Prince of Dubai, a new initiative has been launched, which marries the ancient art of Nabati poetry with the modern-day Twitter platform to win Dh3.6 million in total prize money.

Conceptualised by the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center as an initiative to preserve Bedouin traditions that were cemented by the UAE’s forefathers, the organisation will run a 13-episode TV programme titled ‘El Beit’ on Sama Dubai (launching mid-February) that will see a winner announced every week to win Dh100,000, leading up to the final episode where one winner will walk away with Dh1m in cash.

[Officials at the press conference detailing about the competition]

Simultaneously, a parallel competition will see Sheikh Hamdan provide the centre with a new photograph every week, which will require a 140-character caption on Twitter.

Winners will walk away with weekly prize money of Dh100,000 also.

The centre has also approved the establishment of ‘Al Oula’ radio, which will broadcast at 107.4 MHz.

The mission of the radio is to become a reliable and authenticated source for culture preservation, whilst connecting with the community through a modern outlook.

Twitter tie-up

Teaming up with micro-blogging site Twitter, the centre will launch a new TV programme titled El Beit, a weekly segment that aims to attract the poetic talents of young GCC people in a modern set-up.

Rather than just allowing a number of voters decide winners, which is the staple of most reality TV programmes, a special jury of celebrated Nabati poets from across the Gulf have teamed up to select the best.

Jury members include Naif Al Rashidi (Kuwait), the editor-in-chief of the local literature Al Mukhtalif Magazine, Mudgham Bu Sheiba (Saudi Arabia), Zayed bin Cruz (Qatar) and Mohammed Al Murr Bilabd Al Muhairy (UAE).

Narrating historic lore from the region, their fights, heroines, myths and celebrations, at the beginning of each series of the El Beit weekly programme, which will run at 5pm on Sama Dubai, one part of a poetic line will be unveiled with a hidden meaning.

[The #hashtag]

Budding poets will tweet the next part of the line in 140 characters or less, which complements its meaning.

All tweets will be assessed by two committees, one for rhyme and the other for quality before passing them to the jury, which will decide the best ones.

Once nominations are shortlisted, each member of the jury will pick two best participants - eight in total and will be announced between 9pm and 10.30pm on the same day.

At this stage, the poet who has been able to present the most creative option would be declared the winner and granted Dh100,000 to qualify to the last series.

This process will run once a week, on a live platform with people required to register their names via Elbeit.ae and post a 140-character verse on Twitter using the hashtag #ElBeit in Arabic

The photography award hopefuls will also be using Twitter as their platform to provide a creative caption, with Dh100,000 given to a winner every week over 13 weeks.

Those lines will be assessed for one full week by the quality and rhyme committees, as well as the jury members who will pick 100 lines to be presented at the beginning of next series. Then, the members will vote 10 lines of poetry out of which the winner will be announced with the best image competition.

Abdulla Hamdan bin Dalmouk, CEO of Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center said, “This initiative reflects the constant commitment of His Highness to nurture a generation well aware of the culture and history of the GCC in general and the UAE in particular.

“The region’s culture is laden of Nabati poetry that depicts history, telling the story of the people who dwelled the land centuries ago.”

Majid Abdul Rahman, the Communications Director at the Office of Crown Prince of Dubai, said: “The launch of El Beit programme and Al Oula aimed to preserve and widespread the UAE’s unique heritage through generations comes at a very important time especially with the current unprecedented level of challenges characterised by the cultural openness and huge technological development in telecommunications, all of which demands further endeavours to protect such invaluable culture and heritage.

Al Oula has set several strategic objectives to be attained: upholding and spreading the national heritage through objective and valuable programmes, crafting the community’s heritage culture, promoting awareness of the UAE’s genuine traditions and reviving them through generations, whilst consolidating the interaction of the community with its national heritage with an aim to play a more active role in preserving the local identity.

Some programmes will be broadcast in English to help the local culture outreach a greater number of people living here.

“We look forwards that Al Oula will help raise the bar of qualitative programme by promoting social and artistic awareness whilst deepening the genuine values and traditions within the community, upholding them over generations,” Bin Dalmouk concluded.