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A First: UAE Gets Single-Letter Government Domain

With a series of smart initiatives set in the pipeline for governments in the UAE, the national government has launched a new move that will not only set apart the country from the rest of the world, but also strengthen its commitment in providing accessible and timely services to its residents – of course, still through the use of the Internet.

With just a few clicks, government services and information on the state can now be accessed by those who have a need for them because now, the government’s official portal is “literally” just a few keys away!

UAE Becomes World’s First Nation to Use Single-Letter Gov’t Domain

The UAE government has launched the new domain name of its official portal to become the first government domain in the world composed of only a single letter (U), to facilitate the public access to information, services, projects, strategies and laws in the UAE, as shared in a report by WAM.

The new domain was established in cooperation between The Prime Minister’s Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).

Of note, the first letter (U) of the country will be the domain name, while the second and third letters are composed of the UAE’s country code Top Level Domain “.ae”.

The official portal of the UAE government is a comprehensive platform where all government services and information, as well as important data and information related to vital sectors in the UAE, including education, economy, business, infrastructure, residency regulations, health, national policies and strategies, and others, can be accessed.

Commenting on the new initiative, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director General said, “The new domain name of the UAE Government portal embodies the meaning of innovation, which is simple and easy to remember. It also reflects the centrality of the people in the government’s concerns with its various projects, programmes and plans. The adoption of the new domain name comes at an important stage of the digital transformation, in which we enter the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the smart city, and the government of Artificial Intelligence.”

He also noted that through the guidance of the UAE’s national leaders, the nation has adopted a culture of innovation and creativity as a way to assert the country’s leadership and the community’s happiness.

The TRA Directors also pointed out that that the most important message of the new domain name is the focus on people.

Al Mansoori emphasized that the new initiative sends an important message from the UAE leadership that you are the goal, you are the purpose, you are the bet, you are the government, and you are the United Arab Emirates.

Through the u.ae portal, the nation embraces the digital age tells the world that the people are the ultimate goal of the UAE Government – the people in the broad sense of participation, tolerance, peace, prosperity, happiness, well-being, and sustainable development. Al Mansoori pointed out that the “u.ae” mission is that we are all our partners in future-making.

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Prison in Saudi Arabia Offers Rehab to Prisoners via Entertainment Programmes

Prison in Saudi Arabia Offers Rehabilitation to Prisoners with Entertainment Programmes

Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia have been widely known to impose strict punishments to violators of the law, even with the most severe of them all – capital punishment, which still exists until this day.

And while legalities and practices vary from one country to another, there are some places which take a different approach than what has been traditionally prescribed by the law. This coincides with the belief that punishment must only be corrective, but not rehabilitative – a problem faced by prison facilities as the number of prisoners continues to go up.

Entertainment Programs Among Rehab Efforts Provided by Saudi Prison

However, a Saudi prison provides inmates with entertainment programs to help rehabilitate them into society, as shared in a report by the Saudi Gazette.

Jeddah’s Briman Prison has entered a partnership with the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) to provide detainees a range of programs aimed at rehabilitation which include theatre, music, and other forms of entertainment. The programs also offer an opportunity to take part in the prison’s activities and performances are available to the inmates’ families.

This initiative is part of the kingdom’s rehabilitative efforts to give care for the inmates and help them restore their function and productivity in society.

As per the website of Saudi Ministry of Interior, “The General Directorate of Prisons is fully aware of the important role it has in the area of rehabilitation and care that inmates require. There is no doubt that the programs of training, rehabilitation and employment of prisoners play a key role in the success of this reform policy.”

For his part, GEA’s chair Turki Al Al-Sheikh explained that the program is also part of the Saudi Vision 2030, stating that 2019 is the year of entertainment, with new live shows and performances in the kingdom.

Under this vision, the activities of the prison, in accordance with the program of the Interior Ministry, also include thiqah (confidence) program, aimed to help prisoners about to be released to prepare them to normal lives as free men.

While unorthodox, the move by Saudi authorities also addresses the need for detainees to reintegrate into society after they have served prison time for the crimes that they have committed, considering the fact that prison space is getting crowded, and budget to sustain such facilities also wear down on the kingdom’s economy.

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Here are the Booming Job Sectors in UAE, Saudi Arabia

As countries in the Middle East such as the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are moving away from its heavy dependence on their oil industries, people are now wondering which industries will take over in these historically petrol-dependent nations in the region.

You may have certain guesses, especially when you’ve been following the news in the region, but to be objective about it, let us take a look at the numbers and let them do the talking.

Get to Know the Emerging Top Industries in UAE, Saudi Arabia

According to the latest Monster Employment Index (MEI), technology and tourism jobs in Saudi Arabia saw significant growth in the second quarter of 2019.

In general, the kingdom has registered a 13 percent growth in online job postings in Q2 compared to the same period last year.

The growth in these industries was led by the IT and Telecom/ISP industry and occupations in Hospitality, which registered growth of 29 percent and 22 percent, respectively.

This growth in online hiring is expected to persist as the kingdom rapidly transforms almost every sector with cutting-edge technology, Monster shared in a statement.

Similarly, recent research by KPMG also projects that the hospitality sector is expected to grow by 4,000 rooms, equating to 35 percent, by 2023.

Based on the results of MEI’s Q2 survey, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), Marketing (including Advertising, Market Research, Public Relations, Media and Entertainment), and Oil and Gas have registered growth at 16 percent, 15 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

Of note, retail was the only industry to register a decline, falling 5 percent from the numbers posted in Q2 of last year.

Regionally, Monster acknowledged the UAE’s steady growth at 18 percent ahead of its neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia and then Kuwait at 10 percent. Oman was the only nation to show a slight drop in online hiring with a 4 percent decline from Q2 2018.

Industries in the UAE which registered growth in the Q2 MEI were Production (including Manufacturing, Automotive and Ancillary) at 12 percent, along with Oil and Gas, and IT and Telecom/ISP at 8 percent each. Meanwhile, Engineering, Construction and Real Estate registered the largest decline with a fall of 19 percent from Q2 2018.

In terms of sectoral growth in the region, the IT and Telecom industry posted stellar numbers of growth, going up by 18 percent from the same period last year, followed by Retail, Trade and Logistics at 7 percent.

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Dubai Gov’t Launches Green Transport Initiative with 94 Eco-friendly Buses

With the oil crisis that has hit the region during the last decade, many governments in the Middle East have shifted their attention in growing their infrastructures and invested on industries that have the potential to further boost their country’s economy in the future.

Similarly, as countries such as the UAE moves away from its dependence on oil reserves, processes and technologies have also followed this trend because the UAE government has now invested on green technology such as solar farms and now – green transportation.

Gulf Air Appoints First Bahraini Woman to Lead African Arm

The Middle East is seeing an important transition from its traditionally male-centric society, which is heavily seen in countries such as Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.

With laws and advocacies now focused on gender equality, more opportunities are being opened to women, even in professions which were traditionally assigned to men. And this is a very good thing because as most of these countries are heavily committed to their nationalisation programmes, giving women a chance to work in their field of expertise or passion.

First Bahraini Woman Appointed to Lead Gulf Air Operations in Africa

In relation to this, Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air has appointed its first local female country manager earlier this month, as shared in a report by Bahrain Today.

The airline has named Shams Al Doseri to manage its Addis Ababa station in Ethiopia, making her the first Bahraini woman to run a Gulf Air station.

Doseri first started as a sales executive at the company, and has eight years of airline sales experience under her belt with Gulf Air. For her appointment, she expressed gratitude to the airline for believing in her capacity to strengthen its growth in Africa.

In a statement, Doseri shared, “I am very proud and delighted to take this challenge and be the first Bahraini woman in Gulf Air to represent the national carrier outside the Kingdom. I will not only promote my airline but also promote my beloved country to the world by encouraging more passengers to fly Gulf Air to or via Bahrain.”

For its part, Gulf Air has expressed commitment to invest in Bahrain locals of any gender, providing opportunity for their talents and career development in its various areas of operation. Bahrainis comprise around 90 percent of its workforce, and 70 percent of their pilots are locals as well.

This is a positive affirmation that the work of the governments in the Middle East are changing the landscape of labour and employment, where skills and talents take precedence over gender and societal rigidities that have long governed many of its nations in the past.

As these countries move forward towards this important period and change, residents and global citizens will continue to hope and show support in these nations’ endeavour in the future, and even consider lending assistance through sharing best practices and benchmarking to promote gender equality and inclusivity in the workforce and then the society, at large.

ALSO READ: Saudi Fund Invests on Women Empowerment in Kingdom

Saudi Arabia Introduces Special Website for Qatari Hajj Pilgrims

August will mark a special time for Muslims all over the world as this is related to the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, known as hajj.

That being said, movement is expected among pilgrims in the region and from the rest of the world. However, with the on-going tension happening in the Middle East, involving key countries such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, even religious practices such as the annual pilgrimage to Mecca are being affected as early as now.

Saudi Launches New Website for Qatari Hajj Pilgrims

In preparation for the hajj, Saudi Arabia has set up a special website to facilitate Qatari Hajj pilgrims this year – after Qatari authorities have reportedly blocked electronic links, hindering their citizens from applying for Hajj, as shared in a report by the Khaleej Times.

As per the instruction by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, the ministry of Haj and Umrah has completed all necessary arrangements to serve Qataris intending to perform Hajj this year, through a special website to enable them to register their data and choose the service that suits their needs.

In line with this, ministry authorities called on Qatari authorities to stop blocking electronic or online links, and, instead cooperate with Saudi Arabia to enable their citizens to perform Haj comfortably, as part of their commitment to the faith.

Furthermore, Qatari pilgrims can now book Umrah packages upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia, and will not to have to do so while in Qatar or online.

Qatari pilgrims will be able to do this at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport which is the main port of entry for most of them.

The decision to open new avenues for Qatari pilgrims to perform Hajj this year, reflects the Kingdom’s openness to welcome Qatari nationals to perform pilgrimages to the Kingdom, even as there’s a diplomatic rift between the two nations.

In Islam, Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all able-bodied Muslims are required to perform it at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage is seen as a chance to wipe clean past sins and start anew. Many seek to deepen their faith through the Hajj, with women taking on the Islamic hair covering known as “hijab” upon returning from this journey.

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NatGeo to Feature Abu Dhabi’s Local Environmental Reserves

Abu Dhabi is one of the most visited destinations in the country, mainly for its historic and touristic offerings. However, not much is known about the UAE capital’s position when it comes to its environmental significance in the region.

And as the UAE is looking to boost tourism in lieu of its dependence in the oil sector, there could be no better way to introduce a place than for its natural beauty and environmental uniqueness. Fortunately, the local government is attuned to these kinds of opportunities, and at the same time, has provided a good environment for its residents to protect and at the same time enjoy these offerings that are unique to the rest of the region.

Abu Dhabi Local Environment to be Featured on National Geographic

In light of this, Abu Dhabi is set to take the spotlight in a new documentary series which aims to showcase the environmental richness of the UAE, as shared in a report by Arabian Business.

Among the exciting features to watch out for is the natural habitat of the endangered Hawksbill and Green turtles, four globally threatened species of shark, three threatened species of ray and around 240 species of fish, which are all unique to the UAE capital.

The five-part documentary series, which was produced in coordination ion with National Geographic Abu Dhabi and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), will take viewers on a journey across various protected areas within Capital.

Titled ‘Explore Your Environment,’ the five-part docu-series will give the viewers a closer look at the aforementioned marine habitats as well as the 400 plant species and three million migrating birds, which pass through Abu Dhabi every year.

Presented by Emirati explorer and conservationist Fahood Taymour, the series consists of 2-minute videos. Stops include both well-known tourist sites such as Jebal Hafit National Park as well as lesser-traveled locations such as Bu Tinah Island in the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, a 130km ride from Abu Dhabi’s coast. Other stops include the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve and Al Ghada Protected Area.

Truly, the show will be a journey through some of the most interesting yet hidden areas in the Capital. Highlighted by Fahood’s unique story-telling, viewers will be captivated and at the same time be made aware to the environment and biodiversity locally, as he encourages them to take small steps to cut down on pollution and fish for less vulnerable fish species.

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Doing This at Accident Sites in Abu Dhabi Can Land You in Jail or Fined AED 150K

Doing This at Road Accident Sites in Abu Dhabi Can Land you in Jail or Fined of up to AED 150,000

Road accidents are among the top causes of deaths in the UAE. It is for this reason that authorities are expanding their measures to effectively address this situation and to limit the cases of deaths due to accidents on the road.

Furthermore, another issue that authorities have looked into is their emergency response system, which could spell life or death for victims of accidents. It is, therefore, crucial for responders to get right on the scene of the accident, or to transport victims to medical facilities as efficiently as they can.

Posting Photos of Accidents Could Land You in Jail or Fined AED 150K in Abu Dhabi

Owing to this, the government has reiterated that posting photographs or videos of accidents in the UAE on social media sites could lead to jail and a fine of up to AED150,000 ($40,800) under the country’s cybercrime law, as shared in a report by the Arabian Business.

Furthermore, anyone found obstructing or blocking roads near accidents sites may be dealt with an AED 1,000 ($270) fine.

In line with this, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has issued warnings on social media and said that the circulation of accident images “is deemed an irresponsible behaviour among citizens, which violates a person’s privacy and human dignity. It is also a violation of the law”.

The ministry added, “Taking pictures of accident scenes and sharing them online is against the UAE’s values derived from the Islamic concept of tolerance.”

For their part, the police pointed out that not only do people crowding around crash sites cause extra stress for those involved, they also hinder emergency services attending to the scene.

According to Brigadier Khalifa Mohammed Al Khaili, director of traffic patrols at Abu Dhabi Police, “Crowding and taking photos at accident sites could delay the work of traffic patrols, ambulances and civil defence vehicles, which will result in worsening the condition of the injured or may even cause fatalities.”

Al Khaili called this as “uncivilized behaviour”, and reminded all residents to consider the consequences of their actions, which may endanger their lives as well as the lives of others.

The reminder should be taken to heart, as it’s common to find passers-by crowding accident sites, and even making it difficult for authorities and medical personnel to render help to those who were involved, and may be in a serious condition.

ALSO READ: UAE Police Caution Residents Against Heatstroke

Here’s Why Majority of Workers in the Middle East Leave Their Jobs

Amid the looming tension in the region, the Middle East has been and will still be among the top destinations of expats for work. However, this doesn’t mean that working in the region is all rainbows and flowers, as there are still areas for improvement in terms of work environment in the region, as in the case of any workplace elsewhere in the world.

When pay and job perks no longer make an employee happy, what else can? In this post, we will look at some of the most important factors that keep employees stay in the job in the Middle East.

What Happens when the Work Culture Doesn’t Work for You

Of course, happiness and job satisfaction vary from one working individual to another. However, according to a research from recruitment firm Robert Walters, almost three quarters – or 73 percent – of professionals in the Middle East have left a job because they disliked the company’s culture.

According to the firm’s survey composed of more than 1,000 professionals and hiring managers across the region, 82 percent of professionals have previously worked for a company where they disliked the company culture.

Meanwhile, the vast majority – 90 percent – of employers recognise the importance of finding candidates that are a good cultural ‘fit’ for their organisation.

According to Jason Grundy, Robert Walters Middle East’s managing director, “The majority of employers recognise that ensuring potential staff are a good cultural fit is important, given the serious impact poor cultural fit can have on productivity at work and ultimately whether or not staff will stay with the company.”

“However, given the high number of professionals who have left a job due to issues with the company culture, it is clear that many employers should consider the impact that company culture can have during the hiring process and in attracting and securing top talent,” Grundy noted.

Furthermore, as working habits evolve and the priorities of workers have shifted, employers should review their company culture to ensure that they are responsive to these changing needs, he added.

The research also pointed out that 67 percent of professionals felt that they had been misled about company culture during their induction processes, with at least 53 percent noting that the overall environment did not match the job description on paper.

Similarly, just over half – 51 percent – expressed that they felt misled over opportunities for career progression.

Grundy explained that while competition for the best professionals is fierce and employers are keen to promote the best aspects of their company culture to secure the best professionals, employers should also consider the importance of being transparent regarding the realities of working for their company.

In practice, securing a highly skilled professional that leaves a company quickly can pose a detrimental impact on a firm’s workforce and professional image, and can have a negative effect on the remaining staff.

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Over 450 Female Drivers Hired in Saudi Arabia in Q1 of 2019

As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia heads towards a period in its history, where acceptance of the female gender’s contributions to society has gotten more mainstream and gender biases in terms of work and professional expertise, are somehow being shelved, the next step to these changes would lie on the numbers of the actual (nameless) women in society who would get the same opportunities as those that dared to break the mould.

And as more companies and people of influence, particularly in the government talk about women empowerment and gender equality, focus and attention are now placed on the women in the country and where they may find opportunities as working citizens in the country.

Saudi Families Hire Over 450 Female Drivers in First Half of 2019

In line with these changes, Saudi families have employed around 459 foreign women as family drivers during the first quarter of 2019, as shared in a report by the Saudi Gazette.

In a related report shared by Makkah Daily, the General Authority of Statistics (GaStat) reported that by the end of March 2019, the number of foreign home drivers in Saudi Arabia increased by 12.8 percent—from 1.36 million in 2018 to 1.54 million up until the first quarter of 2019.

The surge in the number of foreign female drivers comes from the fact that many Saudi families prefer foreign women drivers for safety purposes. And at the same time, driving instructors also believe that the mass recruitment could be because there is still no guarantee that Saudi women with a driving license may drive their children to school.

Since Saudi women have been allowed to drive in the Kingdom starting 2018, it is expected that there will be a drop in the hiring of foreign drivers once they become experts in this field.

While it is still debatable as to how safe Saudi women drive in the Kingdom, the fact that female drivers are generally preferred by Saudi families, mainly to service the children to and from school, while also providing services to family members as needed, means that society has already considered this service from female employees, but proper training and professional measures must also be set in place in order to ensure safety and secure the rights and well-being of female drivers in the Kingdom.