The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai has launched the “Maares Al Freej” initiative in conjunction with the Year of Family 2026, reflecting the Department’s commitment to implementing national directives that place the Emirati family at the forefront of priorities as the fundamental pillar of human development, social cohesion, and sustainable progress. The initiative comes within an integrated strategic framework that supports Dubai’s vision of a strong and connected society capable of continuing its development journey through stable families built on awareness, knowledge, and authentic values.

The “Maares Al Freej” initiative aligns directly with the objectives of the Year of Family 2026, which focuses on supporting the stability of Emirati families, empowering parents, encouraging youth to establish stable families at an early stage, and addressing the challenges they face through a realistic approach that preserves identity while keeping pace with modern needs.

The initiative is implemented in partnership with leading government entities, including the Community Development Authority, Dubai Courts, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, and the Ministry of Education. This collaboration strengthens institutional integration and reflects Dubai’s commitment to unifying national efforts to create a supportive environment for families and enhance social wellbeing.

In this context, His Excellency Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of the Department, affirmed that the launch of the “Maares Al Freej” initiative represents a practical implementation of the leadership’s vision to make the Year of Family a national milestone for strengthening and supporting Emirati family values, considering the family the most important pillar in protecting society from challenges and changes.

He stated that Dubai has always presented a leading model in supporting and empowering families, and that the new initiative adds a qualitative dimension to government efforts through in-depth religious and awareness content that addresses family issues using a balanced scientific approach. He emphasized the initiative’s vital role in empowering young people to make confident family decisions based on awareness and responsibility, contributing to building generations capable of continuing Dubai’s progress in the coming decades.

The initiative offers specialized programs focused on promoting a culture of early marriage as a responsible social choice and encouraging families to adopt positive perspectives toward childbearing in response to national policies aimed at strengthening demographic balance and supporting societal sustainability. It also seeks to reduce the average age of marriage by creating dialogue spaces for parents and youth and providing practical solutions that help facilitate marriage and reduce financial burdens, in line with the objectives of the Year of Family in enhancing family quality of life.

The programs include gatherings for newly married couples to support family cohesion and build strong family bonds, in addition to media and awareness initiatives highlighting the importance of larger families and their role in strengthening national identity and social continuity across generations.

Mohammed Mihyad Al Suwaidi, Director of the Religious Awareness and Guidance Department, explained that the initiative adopts a comprehensive awareness approach that supports the objectives of the Year of Family by highlighting the role of parents in building cohesive families and guiding youth toward psychological and practical readiness for marriage. This includes mosque lessons, Friday sermons, and awareness lectures that provide realistic solutions to the daily challenges faced by Emirati families.

Al Suwaidi added that focusing on family values from both religious and social perspectives contributes to strengthening belonging, supporting stability, and achieving balance between family responsibilities and the demands of modern life.

Through this initiative, Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department reaffirms its commitment to implementing national programs aimed at supporting Emirati families, strengthening the values that preserve their cohesion, and enhancing their role as the backbone of Dubai’s future and the foundation of its developmental vision toward a stronger, more sustainable, and prosperous society.