The Interministerial Committee will prepare a series of questions to submit to foreign workers seeking citizenship. Local culture, traditions, religion, national and social values the subjects of the questionnaire. In the Emirates 79% of the population is of foreign origin.

Abu Dhabi (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A test to check the cultural values and knowledge of local traditions. It is the condition required by the authorities of the United Arab Emirates of immigrants who seek citizenship from now on.

Ahmed Shabeeb Al Dhahiri, first vice-chairman of the Federal National Council, told the daily Khaleej Times of the birth "from October next" of a committee called to "develop strategies for improving foreigners knowledge of the country". The initiative relies on the collaboration of the Ministry of Culture, young people and community development, who will have to familiarize immigrants and residents with social values, cultural, national identity, traditions and local religion.   Representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, of Foreign Affairs and of Culture will be on the Committee, with the task of drawing up a series of questions - of a basic level - to be included in the test. Successful completion of a test will be one of the essential requirements for obtaining residence in the Emirates. "What is the official state religion?" Or "What is the national flag?" Are examples of questions that will be included in the questionnaire. Finally, the Committee will prepare a guide to the traditions of the country, to be distributed to embassies and consulates.

The decision of the authorities of the Emirates is welcomed by online readers of the newspaper, although with some reservations. "I agree with the pre-requisite" writes Pramod from Dubai. "If you're planning to live here as a citizen, a basic understanding of the culture of the UAE is absolutely necessary." Nirup, India, adds that "there is nothing wrong in educating immigrants”, but he states that this "should not be done as a test. " He asks rather for "a booklet distributed at the time of recognition of citizenship."

In recent weeks the Emirates has - every day – withdrawn 1500 residence permits for foreign workers, due to the global economic crisis. The are an estimated 4.8 million inhabitants, of which 79% are foreign immigrants.

 

 

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