Dual-nationality children, born to Emirati fathers and foreign mothers, who live abroad are being sought by the Interior Ministry which wants to educate them in local customs and integrate them into UAE society. The ministry has sent a delegation to Cairo to handle the cases of children born to Egyptian mothers and Emirati fathers, according to WAM, the state news agency. Major Gen Nasser al Menhali, the chairman of the delegation, said it was currently examining the cases of 22 children. They would take part in a six-month programme to "deepen their national identity and integrate them into the UAE community".
The "identity inclusion" programme is part of a ministerial resolution issued by Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. "The integration programme will be launched after the committee completes interviews with the targeted cases in a number of countries," said Gen al Menhali. "The would-be UAE citizens will undertake a series of educational, social and health orientation programmes to learn UAE customs, traditions, heritage and values that will smooth their integration into the UAE society."
After Cairo, the delegation will move on to Syria to investigate more cases of dual-nationality children. @Email:asafdar@thenational.ae
