UAE Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. ARCHIVE

The national writing competition “What the UAE Means to Me” has extended its deadline to February 15, giving thousands of citizens and residents more time to share their personal stories about life in the emirates. The competition, launched in the Year of the Community, celebrates the UAE as “a vibrant picture of a cohesive community proud of its national identity and embodying the best human principles.” Organized by Sandooq Al Watan in partnership with the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, the initiative invites participants to write about their impressions, memories, and lived experiences in the country. Submissions may be in Arabic or English and can take the form of short stories, articles, Nabati or classical poetry, reflections, or letters. “You can write a short story, a poem, a letter, or even an essay,” Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan said during the announcement at Kalayaan 2025 at Dubai World Trade Centre. “Your stories matter — and the rest of us would love to hear from you.” Entries may be submitted at myuaestory.ae. The competition is open to participants aged 6 to 61 and above, with word limits set per age group: • Ages 6–12: up to 500 words • Ages 13–18: up to 2,000 words • Ages 19 above: up to 3,000 words All accepted entries, as selected by a technical committee, will be published in a national book that showcases the UAE’s cultural diversity and community spirit. Cash prizes will be awarded to standout works: • Dh250 for ages 6–12 • Dh500 for ages 13–18 • Dh1,000 for adult categories Winners will also be honored at a special ceremony during the Human Fraternity Festival in early February 2026. Organizers said the competition aims to highlight the UAE’s values of tolerance and coexistence, noting that “everyone living in the UAE has a story to tell about their connection to the country’s unique culture and heritage.” ICA/Expat Media
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