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'I am proud of being an Emirati'

Dubai - With just four days to go for the UAE's 45th National Day, Khaleej Times speaks to prominent families to understand what being Emirati means to them and the importance of family-centric events to promote national values

What makes me a proud Emirati? Everything that surrounds me!" said the 30-year-old father of two, Ali H Al Madfaei.
During his flight from Belgium to the UAE, Al Madfaei spoke to Khaleej Times about the importance of patriotism and carrying one's national identity high up in the sky.
The busy and hardworking father, very much a family man, is a role model. He is a First-Lieutenant Engineer, who works as a chemical, biological, radiological nuclear officer for Abu Dhabi Police.
"Please excuse my children, you can hear their voices in the background," he laughed.
Al Madfaei highlighted that being an Emirati is something he is certainly proud of, adding that passing the sense of patriotism to the younger generation is imperative.
"I am a proud Emirati, especially in this day and age. Although the world is becoming more modern everyday, we are still proud to stick closely to our heritage and to our roots."
Al Madfaei noted that serving his country, in every way possible, is what matters to him.
"There is a famous quote that the late US President John F Kennedy once said during his inaugural address: 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,' and this is exactly right," said Al Madfaei.
"Our generation now is the embodiment of that quote. I believe this is the best time to be an Emirati because the country has done so much for our fathers and our grandfathers, now it's time for us - the new generation - to give back to our country and to show our gratitude."
Celebrating the 45th National Day is a way of giving back and witnessing national pride, for him and although Al Madfaei will be in Europe for work, he will still be reflecting on this special day, in one way or another.
"I will be attending a conference in Vienna on National Day, and what better way to celebrate the UAE than to represent my country on the stand? For me, showing appreciation for my country is the ultimate sense of pride - to be able to give back to a country that did so much, built so much and gave so much."
Passing great knowledge to his children, four-year-old Rawan and three-year-old Hassan, is equally crucial for Al Madfaei.
Quoting the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Al Madfaei noted that those who do not know their past, will not know their future.
"The late Shaikh Zayed once said: 'A nation without a past is a nation without a present or a future,' which is why we must instil our values, culture and tradition in our children.
"Wisdom, humility, generosity, kindness, charismatic, enthusiastic, devoted, committed - these words represent the Father of the Nation and these are the words I want my kids to be represented by."
He noted that instilling values do not only mean looking back at history, but also at the values the future holds.
"My wife and I teach our kids historical values, and also values of the future. For example, the 2021 space mission to Mars is an incredible example to instil a passion for science and education in our children - via a UAE initiative."
Al Madfaei is nothing short of proud of how much the UAE has accomplished in the past 45 years.
"The UAE holds a bright future and I trust my kids will carry the same message on to their children. Patriotism is instilling values in our children, and making our nation's vision a reality."
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com