On October 2017, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, wrote, “resuming civilization is not a motto but a decision”. By doing so, His highness asserted that the UAE has decided to be the springboard for resumption of the age-old Arab-Islamic civilization whose scientists were the torchbearers of knowledge in astrology, medicine, mathematics, chemistry, physics, etc. for many centuries, and had enlightened the world during its decline and dark ages.
When the “Hope Probe” takes off in mid July 2020, to reach Mars in time for the 50th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates’ formation, the country will be sending an important message to the world at large, and the Arab world in particular. The message will proclaim that the UAE possesses the will to advance and compete in the most difficult and complicated fields, while also being a beacon of light emitting hope for a better future for the Arab world. Furthermore, the UAE is a country that is capable of achieving its ambitions regardless of challenges, whatever they may be. The UAE has insisted on launching the probe on its prescheduled date despite the Coronavirus epidemic. Thus, emphasizing that it will never allow anything to impede its mega projects, nor its attempt to become the best country in the world on its centenary in 2071.
The Hope Probe is the first Arab and Islamic probe to be sent to Mars with the aim of establishing a human settlement on the red planet by 2117. With its space project, the UAE seeks to be one out of only nine countries in the word that has ambitions to explore Mars, reflecting the importance and significance of the UAE step. Additionally, last year the UAE sent the first Arab astronaut to the International Space Station. It is, therefore, fair to say that UAE has, and continue, to prove that it has the will to achieve progress even in domains that were for too many years regarded as exclusive to certain countries. Moreover, the UAE was, and is still, projecting a positive image for Arabs, different from the distorted one presented by extremists and terrorists. Consequently, the Hope Probe is not merely an Emirati civilizational achievement, but an Arab one as well, and every Arab is entitled to view it with pride.
The Hope Probe cannot be separated from the overall Emirati ambition to be well versed in modern science, to break into advanced technological domains, and to join the fourth industrial revolution with all its manifestations. This is out of a profound understanding that science is the essence of progress, that it is within reach of everyone who has the will to acquire it, and pursue it with determination, awareness, and planning. Furthermore, dividing the world into “advanced” and “backward” nations is not in the vocabulary of the UAE will and determination.
The UAE’s interest in space, particularly Mars, is well founded; in view of numerous studies that confirm space is teeming with opportunities that support development, determine countries’ importance and sphere of influence. Scientists are having growing ambitions that exploring Mars will have enormous positive impacts and will open, up for the world, rich prospects for science and development.
On this occasion, Al Jundi Journal extends its heartfelt congratulations on this civilizational achievement to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Their Highnesses Rulers of the emirates, and to the people of the UAE, and the Arab world. May the UAE, with the will of Allah, forever and ever remains in the lead.
