Abu Dhabi's New Medeem Centre: Strengthening Families With Emirati Values

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has approved the launch of the Medeem Centre for Family Nurturing. This centre is part of the Medeem initiative introduced by the Department of Community Development in April 2024.

During a meeting with senior management from the Department of Community Development, His Highness was briefed on the Medeem initiative and the Centre's services. These services aim to advance the goals of the Abu Dhabi Family Wellbeing Strategy.

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H.H. Sheikh Khaled emphasised the importance of the Medeem initiative in supporting Emirati families' growth. He praised the Centre's role in enhancing social cohesion and family stability by promoting Emirati values.

The Centre offers educational courses, awareness programmes, and community initiatives to engaged couples. These efforts encourage youth to embrace traditional Emirati customs during wedding celebrations.

His Highness stressed the need to equip engaged and newly married couples with essential skills and knowledge for a successful marriage. This includes social, physical, and psychological aspects to help them raise their children responsibly and build stable families.

The Journey of a Lifetime Experience is a facility within the Centre designed to assist couples with wedding planning. It uses AI-powered technology to create an interactive experience where couples can choose various elements like themes, designs, and scents.

This experience ensures that wedding choices align with the principles of the Medeem Model for Women's Weddings. The Centre also offers individual and collective counselling sessions to support this process.

Comprehensive Services for Family Stability

The Centre provides integrated services delivered by experts in marital relations, family counselling, and psychological support. These services are developed following international standards while respecting local traditions.

A briefing highlighted how the Medeem initiative aligns with the Emirati Family Growth Support Programme. This alignment aims to build cohesive, responsible families that enjoy stability and growth.

Commitment to Community Services

Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, stated that the Centre enhances Abu Dhabi's community services framework. He emphasised the Department's commitment as a regulator of the emirate's social sector.

"The Medeem Centre for Family Nurturing was established with a clear vision to help Emiratis lead a successful marriage journey and a fulfilling family life," said Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development.

Preparing Youth for Marriage

The Centre focuses on preparing young individuals for marriage by educating them and equipping them with necessary skills. It aims to ensure family stability and children's wellbeing while promoting positive parenting practices.

The Centre offers six primary services tailored to different age groups: rehabilitation programmes for engaged couples, family counselling, family mediation, post-divorce counselling, child custody arrangements, and educational programmes for parents and children.

Support During Challenging Times

The Centre provides guidance during pre-marriage stages to help couples manage all aspects of marital life through authentic Emirati values. It also offers family counselling services to support families facing challenges.

Dr Layla Al Hyas, Executive Director of the Community Development Sector at the Department of Community Development; and Dr Mona Al Mansoori, Executive Director of the Medeem Initiative at the Department of Community Development attended this meeting as well.

With inputs from WAM