Dubai - With the UAE having a Minister of Happiness, Khaleej Times tried to find out what makes the residents happy.
Published: Thu 18 Feb 2016, 11:00 PM
Last updated: Fri 19 Feb 2016, 3:58 PM
What is happiness? Is it money and professional success? Family? Leisure time? Good health? Khaleej Times tried to find out what makes UAE residents happy.
Hardly two weeks back, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoun, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, appointed Ohood Al Roumi as the State Minister for Happiness - A move widely applauded by UAE nationals as well as residents who considered it as in the interest of the people. But what is happiness? Is it money ? Family? Leisure time? Good health?
With the UAE having a Minister of Happiness, Khaleej Times tried to find out what makes the residents happy. Over 1,400 residents responded to the poll, of which 60 per cent said they are happy. However, vital elements that bring happiness to life varied from person to person.
How happy is the UAE?
> In the third UN World Happiness
Report launched in April
2015, the UAE ranked 20th
among 158 countries surveyed
- and first in the Middle East.
> in Dubai alone, an SMS poll.
conducted by Dubai Police in
October 2015 found 84 per
cent of local residents happy,
6 per cent neutral, and only 10
per cent unhappy.
> The poll received 200,000
responses.
|
Even though presence of sincere friends and relatives brings happiness to Emirati Khalifa Al Fahim, for him health is not just wealth but happiness. For Canadian Kanwal Usman, a little act of kindness and bringing smiles to others' face would bring happiness. According to UK expat Alex Brown, life has become stress-free after arriving in the UAE. From Emiratis to expats, the residents agreed on one thing, beyond all material satisfactions, happiness is an emotional state of being positive in life.
Happiness not just a wish, says VP
The biggest surprise from His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoun, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as he was unveiling his 12th Cabinet was the introduction of Minister of Happiness. Perhaps, it was the first such announcement the world had witnessed. While announcing the Minister of Happiness, Shaikh Mohammed tweeted that the Minister of Happiness "will align and drive government policy and create social good and satisfaction."
"National happiness isn't a wish. Plans, projects, programmes, indices will inform the work of our ministries to achieve happiness," he added. Responding to the new post, Federal National Council Member Aisha bu Samnoh said: "The UAE's leaders make great efforts to make its people the happiest in the world. So appointing ministers for Happiness and Tolerance add great value to community development."
Meet our minister of Happiness
Ohood Al Roumi, who took office as the first UAE Minister of Happiness, 
is entrusted with the task of implementing government policies aimed at improving the quality of the life of residents in the country, including the expatriates. She was the Director-General of the Prime Minister's Office before becoming the minister. Previously, she was also the Head of Economic Policy in Shaikh Mohammed's Office. In October 2015, the United Nations Foundation announced her selection for membership of the Global Entrepreneurship Council, making her the first Arab member of the body.
WHAT THEY SAID:
Health is Happiness :Khalifa Al fahim, senior systems analyst, emirati."
Happiness to me is knowing that my family and I are healthy, that must come first. After having good health the rest can be seen as a lucky bonus. Of course there are other vital elements in life that attribute happiness, this includes fulfilling one's educational needs, working hard in order to achieve a successful future, surrounding yourself with genuine friends and family who are able to add value to your life and also trying to help others find their own happiness. That to me is happiness itself."
Feeling Safe: Gay Mendoza, Hotelier, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Filipino expat:
What makes me happy in the UAE? It is the sense of knowing I am safe and secure. I feel safe even if I go out in the wee hours of the morning; I don't worry if I will be robbed or raped. And I'm secure that I have a job that provides roof over my head. I'm also happy seeing other than skyscrapers, the beautiful parks and enjoying the beach.
Shifting to the UAE: Alex Brown, sales executive, UK expat:
"What does happiness mean to me? Well I can clearly state that since moving from the UK to Dubai 14 months ago, I am a much more relaxed, stress-free person and I'm enjoying life a whole lot more. There are many things in Dubai that make me happy, too many to list, but I enjoy the lifestyle. One thing that always puts a smile on my face...driving out of a petrol station after filling up my tank...it's quite the opposite to the UK And much more friendly on my wallet."
Being positive :Rommel Sergio, Academician, Canadian University of Dubai, Filipino expat:
Being happy engulfs the mental or emotional state of positive well-being. Being in Dubai for about a decade now amplifies the fact that I am fulfilled in many ways. My family is here and I see to it that we go to church every week. I find time to meet up and mingle with my friends. I travel to different countries, being an academician (PhD, Chair of Management Program, School of Business Administration) at the Canadian University of Dubai. Counting my blessings is fun!
Money Brings it all :Magdalena Candea, graphic designer, Romanian expat:
If someone would throw me a surprise party on my next birthday, it would make me very happy. But if it's the mental and emotional health of the people of this country the government is concerned with, then I would say it all comes down to money. A good income means access to good education, good health, holidays, a nice place to live, savings for the old age. I would also add a reform of the labour law. There should be minimum and medium wages according to type of work and experience.
Make others smile : Kanwal Usman Minhas, f&B manager, Canadian expat:
Opulent mansions, luxury cars, ostentatious outfits, and extravagant lifestyle do bring happiness...but it is with a limited shelf life. I am happy because I believe in acknowledging and thanking God for all the blessings I possess. I believe in leading a purposeful life, accepting that I cannot control everything, adopting a non-judgmental approach and always staying positive. Walking on the beach, hanging out with my family and buddies makes me happy but I am the happiest when I am able to make others smile by my actions and tiny initiatives.
Living in own Country :Azza Al Kabbi, director of customer service, Sharjah municipality:
"Happiness means when I see people who are in miserable situations and compare it with my situation and I see that I'm blessed. Here in the UAE, the government provides us with all necessary needs of humans to lead peaceful and dignified lives. We don't have to travel to other countries in search of a living, but people come to our country and find a good living."
My family, my Happiness: Irum Siddiqui, homemaker, Indian expat:
Happiness to me is seeing my husband stress-free as it is because of him we are able to live such a good life in Dubai ( he is the only earning member of the family) I am grateful to Almighty Allah for blessing me with lovely kids and a doting husband. They are my world and my happiness."
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