'This place makes everyone's dreams come true': Why residents say signing the UAE's Pledge and Commitment initiative felt personal

Dubai: It took a little less than a minute to complete online, but signing the UAE’s Pledge and Commitment initiative was a deeply personal moment for many UAE residents. The initiative, which was launched by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan , Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, on May 19, began as a community initiative, giving residents a chance to express their appreciation for the leadership of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his role in strengthening national security, social cohesion and stability. Residents who spoke with Emirates 24|7 said that signing the pledge gave them a chance to reflect on the opportunities, security and sense of belonging they have found in a country they now call home. Errol Gonsalves, a 39-year-old media professional and content creator, said: “There is a reason so many of us choose to build our futures here. My loyalty to Dubai stems from a deep trust in its leadership and a genuine love for what this nation stands for.” Comparing the UAE to a university for life skills, he said the country taught him how to dream, grow stronger and value life. “You learn something new every day,” he said. “This country’s leadership is ahead of everyone. Most importantly, the leadership has a winning mindset – they always want to be the best. Being a media professional, I have had many opportunities to meet and interact with government officials and attend government events. Everywhere you go, you hear only one thing: we are all equal, we are the best, and we are number one,” he said. The Indian national arrived in the UAE four years ago and says that the ‘winning attitude’ he sees allows him to wake up every day with gratitude for living in the UAE. “I first came to Dubai in 2021 as a visitor, to participate in the Dubai Fitness Challenge. That is when I decided to stay here and joined the radio industry in 2022. Whoever wants to become the best version of themselves should live in Dubai and the UAE for at least a few years. Once you live here, it becomes very difficult to live anywhere else in the world. This place makes everyone's dreams come true,” he said. A place to belong Another UAE resident, 46-year-old Mohamed Salim Allawi, also spoke about how signing the pledge was a deeply personal decision. “The UAE has truly become my home. It is where I built my career, grew professionally, and formed lifelong connections with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. This country is not just the place where I live, it genuinely holds a place in my heart,” he said. The Egyptian communications consultant, who has lived in the UAE for 22 years, said that the pledge offered him a meaningful way to express his gratitude and solidarity with the UAE’s leadership. “I am constantly inspired by their forward-thinking vision, ambition, and unwavering commitment to the future. This leadership motivates me to think bigger, plan ahead, and contribute positively to society. We are incredibly fortunate to live in a nation that consistently strives for excellence, innovation, and human well-being,” he said. 'I would choose the UAE a hundred times over' Many UAE residents who have signed the pledge have been life-long residents, like 25-year-old digital marketing freelancer, Saher Suthriwala, who was born and raised in Dubai. “I can’t imagine calling any other place home. It has shaped me into who I am today. There’s such a big life for us here and that is something that I’m extremely grateful for,” she said. Apart from the safety the country offers – something Saher felt was the biggest reason that prompted so many people to sign the pledge – she spoke about the opportunities she gets as a young professional. “It’s not just the big financial hubs, there are so many new careers options that have become available simply because of the kind of place the UAE is. For example, there is a whole new industry of content creators, because of how often people post about new businesses starting up, or what you can do in Dubai. There is a real sense of community. We prefer supporting the new, smaller businesses instead of the bigger global brands,” she said. “Then there are opportunities that you will only get because of the kind of place the UAE is. I started as an intern in a media house and then worked in the events industry. After that, because this country has allowed me to grow, I started freelancing. It was so easy to get a licence and find clients, which is very important for me as I am very career-oriented,” she added. She also spoke about the development she has seen over the years, as a ‘Dubai kid’ and how it constantly inspires her. "When I think about what Al Mamzar Beach was like when I was growing up and compare it to what it is today, it's incredible. Dubai constantly proves that imagination has no limits. The same was true with Expo 2020 – I don’t think any country has done the Expo like the UAE did. It brought in the magic of all different countries into one massive s