'When it has to do with your home, you show up': Why residents say signing the UAE Pledge and Commitment initiative was personal

Dubai: For some, it was an expression of gratitude. For others, it was a promise to continue contributing to a country that had shaped their lives.

Residents who signed the UAE's Pledge and Commitment initiative said the gesture was about more than simply adding their name to a national campaign. It was an opportunity to reflect on the opportunities, security and sense of belonging they have found in a country they call home.

The initiative, launched by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, gives residents an opportunity to express their appreciation for the leadership of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the values that have helped shape the nation.

For Satish Bangera, a 54-year-old Indian business advisory professional who has lived in Dubai for nearly three decades, the decision to sign the pledge was straightforward.

"Dubai is home. This is my 28th year here, and my two daughters only identify with the UAE as their home. There is peace here and my girls feel secure. So, when something has to do with your home, you show up," he said.

Having worked with international businesses, Bangera said he regularly sees companies choosing the UAE because of the opportunities it offers.

“The government is constantly taking care of the country and ensuring that everyone who contributes to it is supported. When I look at the UAE, I feel it is poised for more growth. I say that because I have seen it firsthand since 1998,” he said.

Even the recent regional crisis, Bhangera said, only went on to cement that reputation, with the UAE attracting the best talents from across the world. He spoke about a client who had set up a business just three months ago, and was already seeing profits, telling him that the business was clearly positioned for growth.

“What does that say about this place? It says there is opportunity. I believe in it because I have seen it happen year after year. If you do the basics right and follow the guidelines, you will definitely grow. That's what the UAE is – a land of opportunity,” he said.

For Haseeb Ansari, a 52-year-old Pakistani banker and chief compliance officer who has lived in Dubai for 20 years, signing the pledge was more than a ceremonial expression of loyalty.

“It is a personal affirmation of gratitude, responsibility and belonging. A pledge, however, is only meaningful when it is reflected in how we live and contribute. I therefore see it not simply as words bearing my name, but as a promise to continue serving with purpose, acting with integrity and playing my part in the UAE’s continued progress," he said.

Ansari said the UAE has created opportunities for people from different parts of the world to build meaningful lives and pursue their ambitions. Over the past two decades, he said, the country has become inseparable from his personal and professional journey.

"Home is not defined solely by where one is born. It is also the place that gives one roots, purpose, opportunity and a sense of belonging. By that measure, and in every meaningful sense, the UAE is home."

For Na Wang, a 38-year-old Chinese marketing director who moved to Dubai in 2008, signing the pledge was linked to the life she has built in the UAE.

"I love everything that is happening here, especially how fast the infrastructure is growing. I love the environment and the people because it is a combination of so many nationalities and it gives a chance to everyone," she said.

Dubai is where she met her husband and where she is now raising her young daughter, and as a mum, she says she has a renewed appreciation for life in the UAE.

"In the UAE, I see children learning much more than academics. They learn confidence, teamwork, self-protection and how to understand the world around them. I’ve lived here for 18 years and it is harder to leave if you've been living here for so many years. This country has become home."

Another UAE resident who signed the pledge, entrepreneur Ahmed Yacout said that the UAE had shaped him in more ways than one.

Running a fitness coaching platform that welcomes people from all walks of life and fitness levels, he said that the acceptance and community support he tries to provide through his business is inspired from the community that he has seen growing up.

“I came to the UAE when I was four and have been here since. I loved growing up here because it is a place filled with diversity and acceptance. Also,it is a place that rewards effort," the 29-year-old American said.

"Just like how the UAE makes it such a safe space for us, that's the same type of values I try to provide for our community," he said.

One of the reasons so many residents have stepped up and signed the pledge, Yacout says, is the connection they feel with the country’s leadership.

"Our leaders practice what they preach. You can see it in the focus on health, fitness and community wellbeing. We resonate very strongly with an initiative like the UAE Pledge because of what the UAE provides for us. We are very blessed here. Anyone can make it here. You just have to come with a strong dream and a strong work ethic, and you can build something meaningful."