As an afterthought: ‘My vision: Challenges in the race for Excellence”

Having visited Dubai several times now, I still don’t really know how to feel about this very modern, vibrating, safe and ever-changing city. Much of the time, news about Dubai and Abu Dhabi reports on human rights abuses, arcane law and freedom of speech. But there is another progressive side to the UAE – and it feels like it’s going forwards at a time when I feel like my own country is going backwards.

 

Anyway, I’d like to share some pieces of the book that is written by the ruler of Dubai, sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum. I find the book both to be beautifully written and inspiring.
Here is his vision on Dubai:

“With each new day in Africa, a gazelle wakes up knowing he must outrun the fastest lion or perish.
At the same time, a lion stirs and stretches, knowing he must outrun the fastest gazelle or starve.
It is no different for the human race. Whether you consider yourself a gazelle or a lion, you simply have to run faster than others to survive.
Life consists of opportunities and great opportunities do not come knocking on people’s doors. Whoever wants such opportunities must grab them when they arise, for his people and for himself. We have to be strong-willed, determined and wiling to grasp such opportunities, so that we do not have to scavenge the leftovers of lions.
I will never abandon one opportunity and wait for another. We have not reached the goal we are striving for. What you see now is nothing compared to our vision, just tiny parts of what lies ahead.
We will build a great monument on these foundations and it is my wish that other Arab countries will follow suit, so that we can continue to develop the Arab world into a world of excellence.
The hand of the UAE is reaching out to join the hands of its Arab brothers, so take it and let’s start building together.
I know the road to development and modernization is difficult. I know that it is long and I also know that the next stages will be even tougher and longer. But I have faith in God, I believe in my people, in the wisdom of our leadership and in the future of our nation. I am confident that we will realize our goals.
Our vision is clear, our road is paved and the clock is ticking.
There is no more time for hesitation or half-baked goals or solutions. Development is an ongoing process and the race of excellence has no finish line.”