Top 10 really cool things the UAE did in 2016
As the United Arab Emirates gears up to celebrate its 45th anniversary, widely known as UAE National Day, it’s time to take a look back at the most awesome things that happened in the country this year. From spectacular launches to special appointments, the Emirates have certainly had a busy 12 months.
1) THE LAUNCH OF THE DUBAI WATER CANAL
To those living in the UAE, it feels like it’s been less than a year since Sheikh Zayed Road was changed and moved onto a flyover to make way for the Dubai Canal project. And on 9 November, the Dubai Water Canal was officially opened by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The AED 2.7-billion project is certainly impressive, opening new possibilities in marine transport, such as connecting the ‘Old Dubai’ areas of Deira and Bur Dubai with the newer district of Business Bay. But that’s not all; the area will also include new residential areas and hotels, as well as fun things to do for both families and tourists.
2) DUBAI TO ABU DHABI IN 12 MINUTES
Yep, you read that right. In November, it was announced that the Government of Dubai has drafted a deal with US startup Hyperloop One to evaluate the construction of a near-supersonic transport link that revolutionise the way people travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The 805-kmph Hyperloop train is set to travel from Dubai to the capital in just 12 minutes.
3) TECH-SAVVY ROYALS
What better way to connect with others than through social media? And His Highness Sheikh Mohammed leads the way when it comes to communicating via channels like Facebook and Instagram. In fact, earlier in the year he even announced his new cabinet appointments via Twitter (more on that below).
One of our favourite recent posts, however, has to be a video uploaded by Her Royal Highness Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, which shows His Highness Sheikh Mohammed helping a sea turtle back into the water. Brilliant.
4) OUTDOOR DUBAI
Speaking of royals and social media, we can’t get enough of the official Instagram account of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. Posting as @faz3, the prince showcases various aspects of his life, mostly his love for the outdoors, including extreme sports.
One of the most talked-about launches of the past 12 months was XDubai’s XLine, a zipline experience that begins 90 metres high off the W1 Tower in Downtown Dubai and ‘flies’ over the Dubai Fountains, covering a distance of 558 metres.
5) FLAGS, FLAGS EVERYWHERE
In celebration of 2016’s #UAEFlagDay, @branddubai created a spectacular garden of flags, featuring 4000 UAE flags to create the shape of the country’s map. It is still on display at Kite Beach.
6) OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN
As mentioned above, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed announced his new cabinet appointments via Twitter. But that’s not the only modern move he was praised for at the time. Six major roles went to women, including the newly created Minister of State for Happiness, which went to Her Excellency Ohood Al Roumi.
According to His Highness, the role of the Minister of Happiness is to “channel policies and plans to achieve a happier society” as well as “align and drive government policy to create social good and satisfaction.”
7) PROVING A HEADSCARF DOESN’T OPPRESS WOMEN
In the same week that Donald Trump was elected as the next President of the United States, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were enjoying a royal visit to Abu Dhabi, and @ClarenceHouse, the couple’s official Instagram account, couldn’t have chosen a better picture to show the world just how much Muslim women are usually misrepresented in the media.
The photo, which showed the Duchess of Cornwall with an all-female Emirati security team, was posted with the caption “Her Royal Highness with her all-female protection team during #RoyalVisitUAE.
“From left to right: Shaima al Kaabi, Basima al Kaabi, Hannan al Hatawi, Nisreen al Hamawi and Salama al Remeithi. Earlier this year Shaima, Nisreen and Hannan also achieved the remarkable feat of conquering Mount Everest.”
8) SHEIKH MOHAMMED MEETS MAHRA
When Mahra Ahmed Al Shehi’s family posted a video of the little girl mimicking a speech by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, little did they know that the post would go viral and even His Highness would watch it. In fact, Sheikh Mohammed was so taken with the video that he actually went to visit her.
9) LAUNCHING THE MUSEUM OF THE FUTURE
At this year’s World Government Summit, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed launched the Museum of the Future to showcase services from—you guessed it—the future.
In an online post, His Highness wrote, “The #GovSummit started big and grew internationally, positioning the UAE as a global centre for government development. During the opening I met Asimo, a robot from Japan who is being used to serve people.”
“I also met Pepper from France, who will also start to serve people soon. The future will be for those who can imagine, design and implement it. We cannot wait for the future; we will make it happen by building it today.”
10) THE LAUNCH OF MYSALAAM.COM AT THE 2016 GLOBAL ISLAMIC ECONOMY SUMMIT
Okay, we may be a little biased for this one, but not everyone can lay claim to having their website launched by royalty!
Along the sidelines of the 2016 Global Islamic Economy Summit, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan officially launched MySalaam.com, cementing the UAE’s commitment to promoting useful resources for its youth.
UAE, we heart you. Here’s to another successful 45 years.
Rachel McArthur