Al Murr elected as FNC speaker

President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated the 15th chapter of the Federal National Council (FNC).Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the UAE, Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers attended the inauguration ceremony along with ministers, diplomats and the country's guest.Mohammad Ahmad Al Murr, 56, born in Dubai, was elected uncontested the FNC Speaker of the 15th legislative chapter of the house convened Tuesday.Al Murr has been devoted to literature and the arts since childhood. He graduated in the field of Political Science in Syracuse University, New York. He is a Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.He was a member of the board of directors, Emirates Media Incorporated, and a member of various academic institutions and councils. He was the head of the Science and Cultural Association from its inception in 1987 until 2001.The UAE will press ahead with deepening political participation to fulfil aspirations of the the citizens in a country they contribute to building it, safeguarding its achievements and where they take pride in living, Shaikh Khalifa said as he opened the 15th Chapter of the Federal National Council.Shaikh Khalifa stressed that empowerment [of the House and Emiratis] would remain the spirit of the UAE's Union.The new council carries high hopes as 20 of the 40 members have been elected by a significantly larger electoral college where the emphasis was on youth.The new members assume their duties at a time when the country's leadership is looking at ways to empower the council and to make it a more effective entity in the UAE's political system.The 20 members of the FNC were named by the Rulers of the Emirates.Shaikh Khalifa wished the members of the FNC all the success in their works for the benefit of the nations and the country.Dr Abdullah Hamad Al Shamsi, elected member from Ajman delivered the FNC speech welcomed the presidents and the vice president the minister and the guests.He thanked the president on his efforts to empower the FNC and strengthen its role in the country. He said the 15th, chapter was being inaugurated at a time when the nation was celebrating its 40 anniversary of the federation.Dr Al Shamsi said the people of the UAE were looking to see the FNC playing the role it deserved to convey the needs and the ambitions of the people of the country.Of the 40 members, seven are women or almost 18 per cent, compared to nine or nearly 23 per cent in the previous term.One woman was elected in Umm Al Quwain. The rest, six, were appointed by the rulers of different emirates, including two women from Abu Dhabi, two from Dubai, one from Sharjah and one from Fujairah.Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah have no women representatives at the FNC.The session was adjourned for a while for the members to take pictures with the President and the Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates.The FNC will later elect  the Speaker, his two deputies and two controllers.The FNC will also named eight standing committees specialised in one or more of the Federation affairs.They are the Interior and Defence Affairs; Financial, Economic and Industrial Affairs; Legislative Affairs; Education, Youth, Media and Cultural Affairs; Health, Labour and Social Affairs; Foreign, Planning, Petroleum, Minieral Agricultural and Fisheries Affairs;Islamic, Endowments and Public Facilities and Grievances Committee.Ahead of the elections, Shaikh Khalifa said the FNC continued to be a strong platform for political participation. It had a positive impact on decision making and hence enabled it as the authority that supports and guides the country's executive authority.