Sheikh Zayed and the beginnings of the FNC

• Shura is the process of making decisions by thinking about and discussing issues. It allows ordinary people to participate in decision making process, helping them to feel more involved and engaged.
• The UAE witnessed the establishment of Shura principles and public participation in civilizational and social development.
• The people of UAE used the Shura principle as a way of approach to govern the relationship between the rulers and citizens before the Union and it aims to ensure that the citizen's needs are met and their aspirations and expectations are achieved.
• Shura became one of the 5 pillars of the constitution of the Federal National Council in the Union of the Emirates.
• During the olden days, children and adults, rich and poor would gather in the majlis and people of experience and poets would be there for knowledge to spread.
• Sheikh Zayed recognized the importance of majlises in building harmony, solidarity, and cohesion among people. He would come home and stay in majlises from 11 am until lunchtime. He would return on 8pm and stay until dinner time. He appreciated poetry and traditional culture - which is found in majlises.
• Sheikh Zayed valued the importance of consultation and majlis for the Emirati culture and was determined to make it part of the new state as FNC. The first session was help in February 13th, 1972 and rulers of each Emirate and the Cabinets attended, marking an important date in history. After this, Sheikh Zayed encouraged the FNC members to speak freely and express the needs of their citizens honestly.
• Before the Union, majlises were meeting points to exchange views and advice for the citizens and Rulers. FNC was the 4th federal authority.
• FNC contributes to decision making in the State, discussing and approving federal laws and regulating affairs of the society.
• UAE has always been democratic, which is shown in recent changes where 20/40 members of the council of FNC was chosen through electoral college.