The prime minister of the UAE has announced via Twitter that a “Minister of State for Happiness” will be appointed to “align and drive government policy to create social good and satisfaction.” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who is also the leader of Dubai, made the announcement after attending the World Government Summit hosted by his emirate.
A new post, Minister of State for Happiness, will align and drive government policy to create social good and satisfaction.#WorldGovSummit
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 8, 2016
In addition to a minister for happiness, Dubai will also appoint a minister for tolerance who will “inculcate tolerance as a fundamental value in the UAE.”
The plans for the future of the UAE also include the privatization of some government services, and the merging of some ministries. Maktoum described the development as the "largest structural change in the history of our federal government."
His statements come one week after he took to Twitter to announce that a young person under 25 would be appointed as a minister for youth in the UAE.
However, not everyone welcomed his statements, with some reminding him of the role of the Emirates in Yemen.
See some responses below, via Twitter.
.@HHShkMohd there is no happiness with despotic rulers, espc those who bomb happy #Yemen like you. @cnnbrk @BBCWorld @YemenPostNews @Elaph
— Ali AlAhmed (@AliAlAhmed_en) February 9, 2016
@HHShkMohd
— Hashem Al-Ameer (@hashemalameer) February 8, 2016
Who sows sadness in #Yemen
Doesn't reap the happiness in his country#UAE pic.twitter.com/ximmiHvkdU
