10-year-old Omar Saood Almalih realized his dream of serving as a Dubai immigration officer during the Emirati Children’s Day. On this special occasion, Omar donned the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai’s uniform and took his position at the children’s passport counter at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Omar’s responsibilities included stamping arrival on the passports of children his age and aiding in their travel and verification procedures under the supervision of a seasoned GDRFA officer. This initiative is part of GDRFA’s efforts to make travel more enjoyable and interactive for young passengers, highlighted by the establishment of a child-friendly passport counter at DXB last year.
Lt. Gen. Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, GDRFA director-general, praised Omar’s performance, hinting at a potential future within the GDRFA for him. The event was a celebration of Emirati Children’s Day, marking the anniversary of the ‘Wadimah’ child rights document’s publication in 2016, and underscoring the UAE’s commitment to child welfare and development.
Dignitaries including UAE astronaut and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Sultan AlNeyadi, and Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, expressed their support for Emirati Children’s Day. They emphasized the UAE’s dedication to nurturing young talents and ensuring a promising future for the nation’s children.