UAE Embassy in Australia organises first Eyal Zayed gathering

QUEENSLAND, 20th August 2016 (WAM) --- The UAE Embassy in Australia has organised the first Eyal Zayed (Zayed's Sons) gathering in Gold Coast City for Emirati students at Australian universities under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Dr. Obaid Al Heri Al Ketbi, Ambassador of the UAE to Australia, delivered the opening speech in which he said the event was set to promote national identity and the values of loyalty to the country and its leaders. The event, he added, provides a platform for building national leaders who can keep pace with developments and contribute towards progress and development taking place in the UAE.

He noted that the UAE plays a humanitarian role at the international arena to promote the principles of international peace and security through initiatives to support peace and combat terrorism and violent extremism.

He further praised the UAE armed forces for taking part in the Arab Coalition in Yemen and said that the UAE backs the Yemeni brothers to defend security and stability as well as the territorial integrity of other states, the values of justice and the right of people to a dignified life.

Al Ketbi paid a tribute to the nation's martyrs who made great sacrifices to defend rights and legitimacy in Yemen.

He called the seconded Emirati students to project the bright image of their country and shoulder their responsibilities to serve its stature in various spheres.

Dr. Ahmad bin Abdulla Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education, delivered a speech in which he shared his personal experience as a former student and spoke about the challenges he had to overcome.

He noted that graduates should not consider joining the government sector as their sole goal. He said that the private sector is not less important and enables nationals to develop and get promoted.

Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Education Council, outlined the development of the UAE before the establishment of the federation and noted that despite the fact that circumstances were harsh, the UAE's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, worked hard to establish the federation and achieve progress for the Emirati people.

He also noted that the UAE plays an important regional role and that because those who promote extremism do not welcome its positions on regional issues, they resort to spreading false rumors about the country's figures through their media websites.

"The country is a strong fortress that should be protected. National identity and loyalty are responsibilities that nationals should shoulder both inside and outside their country," he said.

Later, Mohammed Khalifa Al Hamili, chairman of the organising committee of the gathering, delivered a speech in which he conveyed a message from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to Emirati students in which he highlighted that the UAE takes a keen interest in education as a pillar of comprehensive development and a top priority for the wise leadership of the country since its establishment.

Emirati preacher Waseem Yousef also delivered a speech in which he highlighted religious, cultural and ethical challenges facing students in other countries, including in the West, and urged the students to uphold righteous morals.