Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, hosted the eighth session of the "Open Talk" series titled "Shaping the Future" at the Al Habtoor Group's head office. The "Open Talk with Khalaf Al Habtoor" series began in January 2017, aiming to provide a platform for direct discussions on key issues affecting the UAE and the region.
The session featured a distinguished panel, including Dr Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Haddad, Grand Mufti at the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, Col. Dr Abdulrahman Sharaf Almamari, Director of Hemaya International Centre, General Department of Anti-Narcotics at Dubai Police, and Dr Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, Professor of Political Science.
The discussions focused on the importance of the role of the family and educational institutions in guiding youth and protecting them from contemporary challenges. In his opening remarks, Khalaf Al Habtoor emphasised the critical role of mothers in raising future generations, highlighting the necessity of supporting them to raise their children according to Emirati customs and traditions.
He stressed that while some mothers feel the need to work to provide a better standard of living for their families, the role of the mother in upbringing is paramount. Thus, it is essential for businessmen and those with means to support the state’s efforts by establishing a fund to enable women to care for their children until they reach the age of 14 or 15.
Al Habtoor proposed the creation of a fund to support mothers, expressing his readiness to contribute an amount ranging from AED 25 million to AED 100 million. He stated, "The mother is the cornerstone of the family, and we as a community are responsible for enhancing this support. I urge the wealthy to contribute to this fund to support Emirati mothers."
Dr Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Haddad highlighted the importance of work, worship, harmony, and loyalty to the land, stressing the dangers posed to youth by technology and artificial intelligence. He added, "Great men are raised by great women. We should not leave children to nannies as this will have harmful effects on their upbringing."
Col. Dr Abdulrahman Sharaf Almamari discussed the risks facing today's youth and the role of schools in raising awareness and protecting them. He emphasised the importance of parents being present in their children's lives, especially amid the challenges of the modern age. He said, "Some people use the internet for more than seven hours daily, which is concerning. Instead, they should spend more time with their children to protect them from potential dangers."
Dr Abdulkhaleq Abdulla expressed his confidence in the ability of Emirati youth to lead the society towards a bright future. He said, "We trust our youth and their ability to take responsibility. The UAE is in safe hands, and we strive for a better society on all fronts."
The session included interventions from attendees and online followers, highlighting the importance of enabling women to work partially or from home to take care of their children. The session was broadcast live on Khalaf Al Habtoor’s social media pages, including YouTube, X, and Facebook, providing the audience with the opportunity to follow the discussions and participate. The discussion was moderated by Noura Badawi, Chief Communications Officer at Al Habtoor Group, who highlighted the main points and engaged with the audience's opinions and questions.