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Star Rating is open to local, foreign governments: Shaikh Mohammed
Star Rating is open to local, foreign governments: Shaikh Mohammed Staff Report / 2 March 2014 The Star Rating Initiative intends to bring about a quantum leap in the efficiency of government services as per global standards. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has invited UAE’s local governments and other foreign governments to join the Star Rating Initiative for Customer Service Centres, which is similar to the hotel industry’s ratings. Launched last week, the Star Rating Initiative intends to bring about a quantum leap in the efficiency of government services as per global standards. Shaikh Mohammed announced earlier that the Star Rating system is obligatory and will be applied on 400 Federal Government’s service centres. The new rating system will give a number of stars from two stars to seven stars based on world’s private sector standards to indicate the level of service to the clients with the participation of foreign evaluators. Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi said that the UAE Government has received several inquiries about the project from other governments. Accordingly, Shaikh Mohammed has issued his directives to promptly provide all the detailed manuals, guidelines, assessment handbooks and technical support to all local UAE governments and other foreign governments. Al Gergawi explained that the Star Rating Initiative project contains many technical details related to service quality assessment, customer relations management, human resources and technical applications; and all patents and copyrights are officially registered for the UAE Federal Government and approved by the Arab League as standardised specifications for customers’ services. The project aims at changing the concept of the government sector’s services in general in order to be more competitive with the private sector in addition to meeting the needs of the clients. It also establishes a new and transparent model in customer service as well as manages the expectations of the public when dealing with the centres for government services. So far, 75 Federal Government services centres had been evaluated. The classification is based on a comprehensive and integrated operational evaluation processes. By the end of each evaluation, the centre receives detailed recommendations to improve and enhance its services in eight standards: strategic alignment, customer centricity, services, service delivery channels, customer experience, service efficiency & innovation, people and technology. (With inputs from Wam) news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Four Asians arrested for posing as cops, kidnapping and robbery
Four Asians arrested for posing as cops, kidnapping and robbery Afkar Abdullah / 2 March 2014 The victim says the group of men who told him that they were police CID and kidnapped him when he was trying to get off his car with a case containing Dh100,000. The four suspects (supplied photo) Sharjah Police on Saturday arrested a gang comprising four Asians who posed as CID officers to kidnap a man and rob him of Dh100,000. The police CID official said that Sharjah Police, in cooperation with Dubai Police, managed to arrest the gang members — three Bangladeshis and a Pakistani — on charges of posing as CID officers, kidnapping and robbery of Dh100,000 that was in the possession of the victim. He explained that a Bangladeshi man lodged complaint at Al Gharb Police Station about a group of men who told him that they were police CID and kidnapped him when he was trying to get off his car with a case containing the amount. He said the suspects were wearing the Emirati national dress and one of them flashed a police identity card. They forced him to get in their car and them drove around in Sharjah City. They then drove to Dubai where he was asked to get off and hand over the case. The victim also told the police that two of the suspects assaulted him while he was in their car. Based on the information, the police formed a search team and found that one of the suspects was in Dubai. Sharjah CID officers, with the help of Dubai CID officers, identified the suspect Y.K.A. of Bangladeshi nationality. He confessed to the crime after being arrested and led the police to the other suspects — A.M.H. from Pakistan, and M.A.H. and M.A.A. from Bangladesh. Based on their confession the police referred them to public prosecution. afkarali@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Throwing light on history of Islam: The Clusters of Light
Throwing light on history of Islam: The Clusters of Light Staff Reporter / 27 February 2014 The Clusters of Light show to kick off celebration on Sharjah winning Islamic Culture Capital title Celebrating the selection of Sharjah as the Islamic Culture Capital of the Arab region 2014, the emirate is all set to host the world’s greatest oratorio about the story of Islam called ‘The Clusters of Light’. The show will be performed from March 26 to April 5 at the Dh120-million Open Majaz Island Theatre, marking the inauguration of the festivities on winning the title. Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Executive Committee Chairman for the Sharjah Capital of Islamic Culture 2014 celebrations, said that five epical performances will dramatise the journey back to the times of darkness, struggle and challenges that led Muslim believers to the beginnings of Islam and tell the story of its great early accomplishments. “It will be a gift from Sharjah to the entire world that celebrates Islam and its history,” Shaikh Sultan said. “We are confident that the audience will witness a show so spectacular that it will remain in their memories forever.” He said that this ground-breaking performance is the culmination of the vision of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to celebrate human values of Islam. ‘The Clusters of Light’ is a monumental artistic theatrical display through which the Emirate of Sharjah seeks to provide a true picture of Islam, and its human values that promote peace and love,” he added Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed announcing the programme. Termed as the largest theatrical and musical production ever to be made, the oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias. It was written by Saudi poet Dr Abdul Rahman Al Ashmawi, and composed by Bahraini artiste Khalid Al Sheikh. More than 200 performers from around the world will participate in this musical composition led by four Arab stars, Hussien Al Jasmi, Lotfi Bouchnak, Ali El Hajjar, and Mohammed Assaf. The oratorio will include a narration of the biography of Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, from his birth until his demise. A short film about the display’s production, which will include filming tours in several Arab and foreign countries, will also be shown. The Sharjah Capital of Islamic Culture 2014 celebrations include more than 24 heritage, tourism, cultural, and construction projects, as well as more than 100 activities throughout the Emirate over the year. The Open Majaz Island Theatre, the first of its kind in the region, is the official venue for the celebrations. It is a semi-circular theatre, reminiscent of ancient Roman designs, covering an area of over 7,200 square metres. It can accommodate up to 4,500. A Dh13-million bridge between the man-made island and Khalid Lagoon Street serves as an easy access for visitors to the Open Majaz Island Theatre. lily@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
