The speaker addressed a number of internal and external
challenges facing the comprehensive development of the
UAE, which fall under the ambit of four broad categories:
political, demographic, economic, and civilizational
problems. The political challenge was related to the
consolidation of the idea of the Federation and devotion
among members of the community as opposed to
loyalty to the tribe or the emirate. On the other hand,
the other challenge pertained to gaining regional and
international recognition for the Federation and to
standing up to the Iranian occupation of the three UAE
islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa.
She added that the first set of internal and regional
challenges the UAE has faced is a natural outcome of
the political circumstances prevailing in the Arabian
Peninsula in the 19th and early 20th centuries. However,
the second part of the challenges dates back to the mideighteenth
century when the Al Qassimi tribe spread
their influence to the eastern coast of the Gulf. The
demographic, economic and civilizational challenges
have risen as an outcome of the aggressive doctrines
of globalization, social colonialism, westernization,
and a sustained and deliberate threat to local and
national identity, culture, and languages. Throughout
the lecture, Dr. Al-Sayegh expressed her optimism that
although some of these challenges are deep-rooted in
society, they can be overcome through proper planning,
formulation of new national strategies and joint efforts
by the government and its citizens.