Media key in nation building: Mohamed

The national media is a key partner in building the development and renaissance of the nation by presenting national ambitious developmental visions and highlighting constructive thoughts that spur excellence and innovation, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, affirmed on Wednesday.

"Media is one of the most important factors in the holistic national strategy to counter threats and challenges facing the nation," HH said as he received at Al Bateen Palace leaders of the local and foreign media organisations and a crowd of writers, editors-in chief of local newspapers and representatives of the Emirati, Arab and international media establishments in attendance of Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Media Council (NMC).

HH Sheikh Mohamed underscored that the UAE leadership is always keen to support the media so as to continue play its role and shoulder its responsibility in light of major transformations and changes that ''our Arab region and the world at large are experiencing.''

The leadership, HH stressed, has an absolute faith in the role of the media and the importance of further enhancing and strengthening it.

Sheikh Mohamed  said the UAE media has a pivotal role in promoting the Emirati community culture and its civilisational values of tolerance, openness, centrism and moderation and informing the world about these values in a way that reflects the positive image of the UAE internationally and presents its remarkable developmental achievements, particularly in light of the current circumstances where some malicious forces were working to defame and insult Arab and Islamic countries and accuse them of  supporting terrorism and extremism. These forces, HH went to say, want to attach these countries with whatever is negative, therefore abusing practices of forces and groups falsely claimed to speak in the name of Islam, which is clean of them and of their bloody acts that are far away from the tolerant teachings of Islam.

HH said he was confident that the Emirati media is capable of confronting extremist and malicious media organs, exposing their true face and refuting their false slogans by building a national media protective shield against their plots.

Sheikh Mohamed likened the media men to the UAE servicemen - protectors of the nation - who are fighting battles of duty
and honour.

Sheikh Mohamed exchanged with his guests best wishes on the holy month of Ramadan and talked with them about a wide range of media issues.

Sheikh Mohamed also pointed out that the Emirati and Arab media hold historic responsibility to report the truth about extremism and violence forces and to expose their evil ideas to protect the Arab and Islamic communities.

He added that it is also a cornerstone of any successful strategy to counter terrorism and the forces that support or justify it, since these forces are mainly depend on the media to promote themselves and try to access to the hearts and minds of the Arab and Muslim youth to undermine the security, stability and unity of these societies.

Sheikh Mohamed called upon journalists, writers and intellectuals to continue their role in addressing the dark ideologies and its fanatic references and working to correct the negative image caused by the terrorists and those who call for violence and extremism in the Arab and Islamic societies to the outside world through emphasising consistently that the behaviour adopted by this deviant group does not represent, at all, the true image of our religion as well as to build communication bridges with the world to spread the true values of Islam's that promote tolerance, peace, love and coexistence among all mankind.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi reiterated that what increases the importance of the role played by professional and national media is the current chaos in the media landscape in the Arab world in light of the bad use of platforms of social media by some forces to threaten the security of communities and abuse their values and privacy, as well as spread of sectarian, religious and ethnic broadcasters that raise causes of conflict among the people of one country.

He noted that "Hence, there is an urgent need for a balanced and moderate media that provides positive media content that builds rather than destroy, and addresses minds before the emotions as well as promotes values of coexistence and moderation rather than encourages intolerance, violence and racism."

Sheikh Mohamed said that the media in all its forms plays an important and influential role in the building process of communities intellectually, culturally and even behaviourally, noting to the multiple and growing role of media and journalists in dealing with the latest developments and events through addressing them in accordance with responsibility and deep understanding of consequences.

He also called for a continued attention to be paid for building Emirati media cadres who can lead the national media and make it capable of entering into real competition at the Arab, regional and global levels as well as to absorb the rapid developments in the media field at the international level in terms of technology and content so as to reflect the UAE's comprehensive renaissance in all walks of life.

Sheikh Mohamed also expressed his confidence in the ability of national media to address the evolving developments in the media sector at the global level so as to be an important source of the UAE's overall development.

On their part, journalists extended thanks and appreciation to the prudent leadership for setting the principles of dialogue and meeting and interacting with the institutions operating in the country and exchanging transparent dialogue with them, adding that this approach enhances media work and represents a positive energy to perform its enlightenment message while addressing all vital issues of concern to the community.

Mohamed bin Zayed receives FNC members

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has received at Al Bateen Palace, Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), and FNC members, who called on him on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.

Sheikh Mohamed exchanged Ramadan greetings with them. The FNC members wished further development and welfare to the UAE and good health to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

FNC members extended greetings to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohamed and FNC members exchanged views on issues of interest to the homeland and Emiratis as well as  the FNC's role in addressing issues that enhance development process in the country.

Sheikh Mohamed confirmed the importance of effective co-operation and complete co-ordination among all government departments and FNC which would contribute to boosting the overall development process and enhance the deep-rooted values of UAE citizens such as loyalty, belonging, sacrifice and national cohesion to safeguard the national gains and to defend them as well as to countering all challenges.

Mohamed receives team of Sheikha Fatima bint Mohamed Initiative in Afghanistan

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has received the team of the Fatima bint Mohamed bin Zayed Initiative (FBMI) for traditional Afghan carpet weaving project and development of Afghan countryside.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his happiness to meeting them and exchanged with them greetings on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.

He received a briefing on the initiative, its projects and objectives so far achieved to support Afghan women and encourage them to work as well as generate job opportunities in the light of the traditions of the Afghan society. The initiative gives the Afghani women the opportunity to work in carpet industry at their homes.

Sheikh Mohamed hailed such kind of initiatives which focus on enhancing social and economic life for a large segment of the Afghan people and contribute to provision of decent life for them.

He also confirmed the UAE's successful and pioneering role in the humanitarian and social fields at the regional and international level as well as its noble goals. He also noted that these initiatives reflect the deep-rooted values instilled in the Emiratis, especially provision of assistance to the underprivileged and others without waiting for return, given the teaching of the Islam and the UAE traditions.

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