Mohammed thanks Khalifa, Rulers

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has thanked President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Members of the Supreme Council, Their Highnesses Rulers of Emirates, for congratulating him on being named Cultural Personality of the Year by the trustees of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in its ninth edition.

He said: "The words of the President conveyed warm regards from a person raised by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and brought up in an exceptional Zayed leadership school. Sheikh Khalifa is always keen to be the first well-wisher on such occasions and achievements."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid also thanked Mohamed bin Zayed, describing him as a "brother and friend," noting that his congratulation carried themes of love and appreciation.

The Vice President thanked the Rulers for congratulating him.

"I am honoured to accept this award, which bears the dear name of a person whose legacy, values and principles are still fresh in the minds of all Arabs," Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, adding that, "What we have been achieving in all areas is attributed to what we have learned from the school of the founding fathers: Zayed and Rashid. It is a legacy, which I, with my brothers, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Rulers will continue to serve our people."

Mohammed issues law on aviation safety

In his capacity as Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued Law No. 07 of 2015 on aviation safety in the Emirate of Dubai.

The new law aims to enhance safety and security measures in Dubai’s airspace to ensure smooth aviation according to international standards approved by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, and the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority.

Further, the law aims to organise the activities and professions in the civil aviation industry, apply best practices to insure best usage of Dubai’s airspace and prohibit all acts that may endanger airplanes, airports or any facility related to aviation services.

The law prescribed the responsibilities and authorities assigned to Dubai Civil Aviation Authority that include supervising and approving all security and safety procedures applied in Dubai’s aviation facilities and airports, upgrading and developing aviation equipment to abide with international and domestic regulations, defining the terms and technical specifications required for helipads in coordination with concerned authorities and defining the regulations and technical specifications for warning lights installed in towers, building and helipads.

The law also authorised Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to specify the airspace dedicated for general aviation and the regulations controlling the usage of laser, fireworks, light beams and drones. The Authority also reserves the right to inspect towers and helipads.

Pursuant to the law, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority may inspect and monitor all civil aviation activities and civil aviation workers, and may also define any acts that constitute risk on aviation facilities, air operations, airplanes, passengers and air traffic.

The new law obligates civil aviation workers in the Emirate of Dubai to obtain an annual permit from Dubai Civil Aviation Authority according to the terms and conditions issued by a resolution from the Director-General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

The law also prescribed the penalties and fines imposed on violations and the Chairman of Dubai Executive Council is authorised to define the violations and the penalties and fines imposed thereafter.

Furthermore, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority may take any measures necessary to assure safe and secure aviation in the Emirate of Dubai.

The Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority may issue any required policies and procedures to implement this Law. This law annuls any other legislation that contradicts its articles. The law is to be published in the Official Gazette, and considered valid from the date of publication.

Mohammed honours Dar Al Ber Society

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has honoured the Dar Al Ber Society at the 18th edition of Dubai Government Excellence Programme, DGEP, Awards for the year 2015. 

The award was presented to Khalfan Khalifa Al Mazrouie, Chairman of the Dar Al Ber Society, in appreciation of the ‘Dubai Hands’ drive initiated by the society in collaboration with nine other government departments under the category of the ‘Excellent Government Joint Venture’.

Al Mazrouie said the distinguished inter-governmental project, targeting some 45 per cent of the Dubai population, was aimed to collaboratively provide humanitarian services to low-income workers, prison inmates and special needs people.

"Dar Al Ber played a critical role in developing religious awareness of inmates, and paid Diya or blood money and air tickets for insolvent prisoners."

Low-income workers were also supported with free meals and a diverse edutainment programme during the Holy Month of Ramadan, he added, saying that medical bills were also taken care of for financially struggling special needs people, who were also equipped with necessary medical devices, whereas productive families had their products promoted at special charity markets specially held for their benefit.

Al Mazrouie said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has taught them to never rest on their laurels, and to always maintain their excellence.

"Dubai has become a brand name for excellence on all levels and the Dar Al Ber Society is all set to attain the highest competitiveness levels for the UAE in general and Dubai in particular."

"We will devote more efforts as one unified innovation-oriented team to maintain these achievements and improve them in the next editions in line with the farsighted vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed."

Elaborating, he said that Dar Al Ber was honoured by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed in February last year for ranking fifth nationwide in terms of giving the most foreign aid, which amounted to Dh126.6 million. "The honouring ceremony was held by the Ministry of Development and International Cooperation under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for launching the official annual report of the UAE foreign aid in 2013."

The Society also clinched first position in the Excellence Award of the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai for the categories of Distinguished Charity Society and Excellent Quran Study Centre, he said.

"Topping 54 charity associations, Dar Al Ber ranked first as well in the Forbes Middle East Magazine Award for the category of Most Transparent Charity Societies in 2011. Winning the same award in 2012, it excelled over 61 charity associations and seized first position locally and third in the Arab countries."

The society topped 40 global charity associations for the first time in the UAE, and won the Sheikh Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah International Award for Charitable Work in Kuwait, for the category of Excellent Charity Institutions in 2010, he said.

Present at the honouring ceremony held on Wednesday were H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of Dubai Ruler’s Court, senior officials, heads and employees of government departments.

While presenting awards to winning departments and individuals, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said that 18 years after its launch, the DGEP award had made its mark when it comes to motivating government employees to excel, innovate and come up with unique ideas for improving government performance.

The award categories included excellent customer satisfaction, excellent self-evaluation, excellent commitment to national identity, excellent work team, excellent administrative initiative, excellent technical project and excellent government joint venture.

The award also recognised distinguished government employees in the areas of administration, finance, engineering and specialist work. Those honoured also included best entity in innovation, best innovative idea, innovative employee, innovative leader, as well as 15 of the ‘unsung heroes’.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.