Author: Sami

This week, by diplomacy I mean the art of daily interaction with people—not official or unofficial representation—continuing last week’s article on the indirect representation of the state when we travel and engage with the world in our everyday lives. Every word and every behavior leaves an impact; therefore, diplomacy becomes a life skill before it is a job title.

The most important rule I have learned and recommend is this: put honey on your tongue before you speak. A kind word and a smile are acts of charity, and they form the first impression in any professional or personal relationship. I specifically highlight the institution’s front line—the reception team. Smile at those who visit you, and strive, regardless of your circumstances, to present yourself appropriately. And if you cannot, that is fine—explain your situation politely. Tell people: “I’m going through a difficult day today; I apologize if I seem gloomy.” Courteous honesty reduces tension and preserves respect—respect for yourself, for the institution, and for your manager.

Another rule is humility at work. Carry the bag of the one who surpasses you in knowledge, as my late father taught me. This is humility and good manners—not hypocrisy or flattery—but self-discipline in learning and work. Your humility does not diminish your worth; it elevates it. Today you carry the bag symbolically; tomorrow you carry the knowledge itself in substance.

Daily diplomacy also has simple, effective tools: listen before you speak; separate the person from the problem; and begin your statements with expressions of understanding—“I understand,” “I appreciate,” “Let us agree on…”. Avoid threatening language, and be clear about requests and deadlines. And if you make a mistake, take the initiative to apologize without overexplaining, then propose a specific correction.

In conclusion, diplomacy is not a behavioral luxury; it is a social competence and a moral trait that builds trust, prevents unnecessary conflicts, and enhances the image of the individual, their institution, and their community. When our good words match our actions, we represent ourselves in the best way—and, in doing so, we represent our organization as well.

By kind invitation of H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, and hosted by Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, I had the honor of visiting North Star as part of GITEX, where I witnessed promising projects presented by ambitious young innovators with a strong competitive spirit.

North Star was a highlight of an exceptional edition that concluded with unprecedented success. GITEX Global 2025 brought together more than 6,800 exhibitors, 2,000 startups from 180 countries, and 1,200 investors, cementing its position as the world’s largest technology and AI event this year.

What especially caught my attention was the participation of female students from United Arab Emirates University, who showcased pioneering projects in various fields — particularly in healthcare — offering innovative solutions focused on women’s health. This kind of innovation proves that necessity is the mother of invention, and that a deep connection with real societal needs is often the spark that creates valuable products and scalable business models.

Here lies the true value of North Star as a global platform for entrepreneurs. This year, it attracted over 2,000 startups and 1,200 investors managing assets worth more than USD 1.1 trillion, along with 40 unicorn companies — a reflection of the depth of both knowledge and capital available to those with serious ideas and capable teams.

What we need today is to export solutions, not just consume them. Consumption is the endless use of technology without understanding its philosophy or impact. Attraction, however, is about bringing in talent and expertise — something the UAE is already doing. The impact grows even greater when the nation’s youth turn this accumulated knowledge into globally competitive products and services.

To our young men and women: more than ever before — with the power of AI — launching a business has become faster, product development cycles shorter, and experimentation easier. This is a call to unleash your dreams and transform your talents into companies and solutions that tackle real-world challenges — from here, from our platforms, to the world.

A tribute to teachers — the builders of tomorrow — upon whose shoulders rests the responsibility for our children and their future. This noble profession has held its esteemed place throughout the ages, remaining a cornerstone in shaping the child’s upbringing, awareness, and values.

Although the modern school has shifted many educational responsibilities toward purely academic functions, the teacher’s impact on character building remains profound. From early childhood to adolescence, a child spends at least eight hours a day under the school’s care, where the teacher serves as a role model before being a source of knowledge.

Students in public schools are fortunate to have many teachers who preserve and understand the local environment and identity. Yet the greater challenge often lies in some private schools, where a teacher may — unintentionally and without malice — convey a culture that does not always align with our values, simply by acting naturally within the context that shaped them.

Where has the teacher’s voice gone in the digital space?
My message to you, dear teacher: Step into social media. We need your presence in creating Arabic educational content. Share your experience and knowledge online — you are best positioned to influence and inspire. Post short lessons, inspiring stories, useful insights, and linguistic and cultural touches that enrich family and student life.

Yes, you already make an impact inside classrooms and school walls, but it is time to expand your influence in the virtual world — to strengthen the movement for knowledge and language and to help safeguard our cultural and popular heritage.

Your mindful presence on digital platforms is no longer a luxury; it is a natural extension of your educational mission: to teach, to inspire, and to build people — wherever they are.

On the anniversary of the passing of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum — may his soul rest in peace — the builder of modern Dubai and the companion of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may he rest in peace, we remember the wisdom that laid the foundations upon which a visionary leader, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has built and flourished.

I was privileged to grow up hearing many stories from my father, who witnessed firsthand the strong bond between Zayed and Rashid — their shared commitment to the prosperity of their people and the building of a thriving nation. Our car rides were not mere outings for sweets; they were journeys of wisdom.

Whenever we passed by Dubai World Trade Centre, my father would explain how solid foundations must be laid deep to support a structure that rises proudly on the horizon — turning Dubai into a hub for trade, global delegations, and business leaders. That was the starting point for engraving Dubai’s name on the world map.

The travels of the late Sheikh Rashid were not leisurely holidays but missions of learning and exploration, where he studied civilizations and technologies, returning with strategies that were transformed into living realities. Among his landmark decisions were the establishment of institutional frameworks for managing emerging wealth, transport, and the judiciary — and the historic Deepening of Dubai Creek project, when sand buildup nearly choked the waterway and threatened navigation. Reviving the creek restored it as a vital artery for trade and a major port, marking a turning point in Dubai’s journey as a commercial hub. Bridges and ports soon followed, making Dubai a key maritime pillar on the East–West trade route.

Today, on the 35th anniversary of Sheikh Rashid’s passing, his vision is embodied in tangible numbers. Dubai International Airport recorded 92.3 million passengers in 2024, its highest in history, with a plan underway to build a massive new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport capable of handling up to 260 million passengers. Meanwhile, Jebel Ali Port strengthened its global position with record-breaking achievements, as DP World handled 88.3 million TEUs globally in 2024.

Economically, Dubai maintained its strong momentum, with GDP reaching AED 119.7 billion in the first quarter of 2025, growing by 4% year-on-year.

These milestones are living proof of a strategic vision that anticipated the future, infrastructure built ahead of its time, and institutions governed with transparency and openness to the world.

We, the people of Dubai, are driven by this legacy, looking forward to a future that doubles our logistical capacity, enhances the knowledge economy, and opens doors of opportunity for generations to come.

Rashid remains a teacher. His life is a lesson in nation-building, and his legacy is a compass that guides us to plan far ahead — so we may reach even farther.