We Want To Be Number One , Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

We want to be number one: Shaikh Mohammed (WAM)


29 December 2011


In an exclusive interview with CNN, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: ‘We want to be number one’, answering a question by anchor Erin Burnett about his aspirations for the UAE.


Erin Burnett has had the rare chance of spending a whole work day with Shaikh Mohammed. The interview, which took place at various sites in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, was characterized by full frankness and transparency. A number of issues were discussed, with special focus given to internal affairs.


The interview began with a brief report on the UAE celebrations of the 40th anniversary of one of the youngest countries in the world; this is the United Arab Emirates, and the man who built its crown jewel is still on the helm.


Diversity and Stability


The report mentioned that Shaikh Mohammed dreamt of skyscrapers. Forty years ago, there were literally sand dunes, tents and small forts; now the world’s tallest buildings rise from the desert. The centre of the city and a backdrop for the rich and famous including Tom Cruise and his stunt move for his latest movie ‘Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol’ where he tangled from 153 stories in the air.


In the light of the Arab Spring, Dubai is a haven for people seeking escape. In this context, Jodi Essa, a student from Syria, said: ‘I’m living here alone; I’ve never felt unsafe; I’ve never felt uncomfortable living here’. The report added: ‘Even the Ruler still walks without any security details’.


Dubai is a diverse city. Eighty five per cent of the people living here are expats, and people from over 200 countries pass through the city.


Answering a question about His Highness’ fears of extremists who may target Dubai, Shaikh Mohammed said: ‘They have not made any problems for us, you know, they’re living together and they have an interest to come here, so they work and they send home some money from here, so they don’t want to spoil that’.


A video footage in the report indicated that Shaikh Mohammed starts his day on his horse farm in the outskirts of Dubai. Commenting on this footage, Shaikh Mohammed said: ‘Horses, falcons and dogs are part of our life’.


Direct communication


The interview also touched on bridges of communications between the people and the Ruler. A video footage that was included in the interview showed that the weather temperatures may reach 49 degrees Celsius during Summer: in December, during the TV team’s visit to record the interview, the weather temperature was 26 degrees. That day was a good day to follow up how the emirate’s government works at the majlis where citizens can directly talk to their leaders about their needs.


Sheikh Mohammed said:’ We have the Majalis where everybody can come to the ruler and say ‘I didn’t get this or that’; or this department, or that ministry did not give me my right.’ Burnett asked, do they directly come to you and ask for what they wanted directly? Shaikh Mohammed replied: ‘Yes, they might complain about a ministry, so I get hold of the minister and ask him why he didn’t do his job?’


Burnett went on to tell how Shaikh Mohammed preferred to spend a night in the desert every ten days to experience the life of a Bedouin, despite belonging to the ruling family and living in a country that sits on 10% of world oil reserves.


In another video footage, the report further pointed out to the meetings of the UAE Cabinet in Abu Dhabi, where Burnett had the chance to attend one, at which the budget was discussed and its details to be published online in a move that Brunett viewed a step towards transparency. This step is also welcomed by students from Arab Spring countries. Burnett, in this regard, cited a point view of an Egyptian student who said: UAE must be a role model for all Arab countries with the way it is ruled. Saud Masoud: Dubai has really been the front runner in terms of freedom of the press.


Press Freedom


Regarding this issue, Burnett asked: ‘Some people are saying press is not totally free!? Shaikh Mohammed plainly replied: ‘As long as they do not say something wrong about a person or whatever it is, they can say things they want, and as I told you, we are not perfect; we are still learning.’


Answering a question about democracy, Shaikh Mohammed said:’We have our own democracy; you cannot transport your democracy to us.’


Burnett asked: ‘Your son Hamdan will rule after you, father to son, will that continue forever? His Highness answered: ‘As long as people want that.’


Keenness on development


Referring to the aftermath of the Arab Spring, Burnett pointed out that : ‘Some say Dubai’s Shaikh and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi are using money to prevent unrest.’ She further asked:’ The salaries for government workers, and you recently doubled that, and some people said that you did it because you were worried about unrest in the UAE from Arab Spring, is there any truth in that?’ Shaikh Mohammed answered: ‘No, it is not because of the Arab Spring, we did it before the Arab Spring started and we did it many times before, if you look in the past 10 years, you will see we have doubled salaries several times.’


During the interview, Burnett mentioned that despite the motivation behind salaries increase, most youth and expats are pro-government. A young Emirati female said:’I would like to thank His Highness for what he has done for us, for everything.’ Another expat said: ‘Sheikh Mohammed is a true visionary.’


The ‘OutFront’ anchor touched on the punishment facing those who failed to pay their mortgage, His Highness clarified: ‘Some laws may be strict; but we don’t put in jail everybody who comes here.’


Erin Burnett concluded the interview by stressing the point that Shaikh Mohammed focuses on one thing that is building Dubai on the hill in part of the world where hills are few and far between. And, when she asked him: ‘How much further do you want to go?’ Shaikh Mohammed answered: ‘To be number one’


It is worth mentioning that the CNN aired snapshots of the interview on December, 6th concurrently with the UAE’s 40th National Day. The interview has widely attracted regional and international attention; various world media agencies and outlets have published highlights of Shaikh Mohammed’s statement, especially those dealing with regional issues.