Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has issued a list of characteristics that Emiratis should adhere to when using social media.
The list of 10 points encourages Emirati "personalities", who represent their country online, to share positive information about the UAE, its Founding Father Sheikh Zayed, and his teachings.
Sheikh Mohammed posted the list to Twitter in Arabic with the question "what are the characteristics for an Emirati personality that we want on social media?"
Emiratis who post messages that "reflect maturity and a high level of culture" were also encouraged in his list.
Sheikh Mohammed said UAE citizens should avoid people who insult others and who speak of immoral things on social media.
ما هي مميزات الشخصية الإماراتية التي نريدها على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي ؟ pic.twitter.com/L4y4xOZbfv
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) October 23, 2019
He said positive characteristics of Emirati social media users were using logic and science in debates, encouraging others and being optimistic about life.
Sheikh Mohammed said he sought "a personality that is useful to others in knowledge and has ideas for community or humanitarian initiatives that will make the country proud."
An Emirati online should be confident but modest, show love and kindness towards others, be tolerant and welcoming to others. They should should also seek to "build bridges between other nations", he said.
Emiratis should integrate with others, speak their language, discuss issues and think positively about the future, he said.
Sheikh Mohammed encouraged "a personality that loves its nation, is proud of it and will sacrifice for it."
The list come less than two months after Sheikh Mohammed released a letter for the "new season" outlining six points that he said needed addressing.
Among them was for citizens to leave foreign policy statements to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, rather than attempting to speak on behalf of the UAE on social media.
At the time, he said stirring up chaos on social media undermined the achievements of the work of thousands of teams.
Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE’s reputation was not to be used as a means of gaining more followers.
“We have a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation responsible for managing our external affairs, speaking on our behalf and expressing our position on foreign policies.
“We will not allow a group of Twitter users to mess with Zayed’s legacy of credibility and love and respect for people. The good image of the UAE and the Emiratis must remain bright as Zayed wanted and built.”
The full guidelines:
1. A personality who reflects Zayed’s image and ethics when interacting with people
2. A personality who reflects what the UAE has accomplished in knowledge, culture and civilization
3. A personality who shies away from swearing and insulting and avoids shameful conversation
4. A knowledgeable personality who uses argument and logic in conversation
5. A personality who appreciates good words, beautiful images and positive interaction with minds, cultures and societies
6. An informative personality who is useful to others and spreads ideas and social and humanitarian initiatives which are proliferate in the UAE
7. A personality who is integrated with global surroundings, speaks their language, addresses their issues and positively interacts with their future
8. A self-confident personality who accepts diversity and builds bridges with other people
9. A personality who reflects UAE’s modesty, goodness, love of others and openness for other peoples
10. A personality who adores the nation, is proud of it and sacrifice for it
