Since its launch at the end of August 2017, Arab Canada newspaper has been communicating with all members of the Arab communities and expatriates without exception, to present diverse models in unified Arab culture.
These models carry inspiring success stories, and in this special issue, we had a dialogue meeting with the social activist from the United Arab Emirates who came to Canada thirteen years ago and completed her master's degree, recording a love story between her and this great country despite the huge progress her country enjoys and despite the large capabilities available to Emirati citizens in general as a public policy of the Gulf countries towards their citizens. Today, we host Amina Al-Bannai to tell our dear readers her story with Canada from her arrival until today.

Amina: Firstly, I thank Arab Canada newspaper for reaching out to me to participate in this dialogue, which I consider an important initiative to establish bridges of communication between the Arab communities in general.
I am a good follower of Arab Canada newspaper and feel that it delivers an important humanitarian message, and this in itself is a very positive matter.
Therefore, I would like to clarify a point about positivity, as it is not just a slogan, but rather a lifestyle that we must apply every minute of our lives.
Perhaps my personality known among people and my followers reflects the impression of a positive person. I am a person who does not like complaining, and if there are life obstacles, I try to find solutions so they do not affect my personal life, and the most important to me always are my children and my husband, for the mother is an important and influential element in the happiness of the entire family.
As for the weather in Canada, despite the difficulty of winter here and its difference from our homeland, I look at it positively, not as many around me see it. I smile when the snow touches my face, and this gives me hope and optimism. Undoubtedly, negativity exists inside each of us, especially with the situations we are going through concerning the coronavirus and its challenges, but each of us must get rid of negativity and deal positively so that it reflects positively on themselves and others.
Who is Amina?
My name is Amina Al-Bannai, and I am Emirati. I came to Canada with my husband and children for study purposes several years ago. Thanks to God, I obtained acceptance for a master's degree at the University of Ottawa and Saint Paul University, and I graduated with distinction. I consider myself the only one in the Gulf who obtained this specialization. The specialty is (public ethics).
My husband Marwan Al-Hashimi helped me greatly in my life, academic, and even professional journey. Therefore, I consider my husband the first and last word in my life journey, out of respect and appreciation for his position and my commitment to our Arab and Gulf customs and traditions that we cherish.

Since you came to Canada, tell us how you adapted to its reality, which is completely different from Gulf life?
Canada is beautiful and has people from various Arab communities, and I consider this beautiful and very important for every new Arab. Indeed, I suffered a lot in my early days, especially since I came here with my children when they were young. This required a lot of effort from me, and responsibility increased on me compared to my life in the Emirates, where I had someone to help me with household affairs, in addition to the presence of family.
What I want to say to those who always say that I love Canada and am happy there: Yes, I love it despite the conditions of exile and many obstacles, and even though I did not leave the luxury and easy life in my country, I am holding on to my dream and trying to make myself happy and overcome difficulties with my prayers, hopes, and trust in God. I have a noble goal that I strive to achieve, and I have big dreams that are the motivator that gives me strength, determination, and insistence to move forward positively. For this reason, I love Canada where I realize my dream of success, and love makes me accomplish and succeed because true love is the strongest weapon for human success.

Can you update us about your study and what motivated you to choose this specialization?
My study is in public ethics, and I chose it, thank God, and succeeded because I have foresight. I took something new that is required in the future and in the Arab world in general and in the Gulf in particular because this specialization exists in Canada and America, and most parliament members have this specialization. Also, doctors study a course on this matter, as well as engineers and accountants. In brief, this specialization extends to many fields and is very important, where the literal translation of this specialization is (ethics in public administration).
The purpose of the study is to practice deducing the ethical issues that arise from government decisions, and this study focuses on evaluating social and political practices and the solutions taken into account by the government. This study also focuses on the practice of writing public policies.
It concerns the ethical questions posed by society and conveying these questions to the higher decision-making levels to be discussed by officials along with them, and it also concerns conveying decisions in an educational manner to citizens.

How do you view child-rearing in Canada?
Raising children in Canada is not easy as some think, especially during adolescence. There is a lot to say on this subject, and it must be given its due because of its great importance. The role of the mother and father is great at this stage, and they must contain their children in the true and moral sense, meaning they must embrace their children and not leave them to the street and bad companions.
I say this brief statement through Arab Canada newspaper loudly to be heard by every father and mother in Canada: Work hard for your children; they deserve this effort since you gave birth to them. They are weak and have no strength, and not all matters are clear amid the contradictions between heritage and reality.
Children lost in the street and prisons are mainly the responsibility of the parents’ loss. Children are waiting for a tender hand, a patient heart, a warm hug, and a sound mind to contain them and protect them from loss. Being lost is certainly not their first choice, and the wise understands this.

As a Gulf woman, what is your opinion on the end of the Gulf rift?
The recent issue that happened and the reconciliation between the UAE and Qatar is something joyful for me and for every Emirati and Qatari citizen. We, as Emirati people, agree on loving our rulers and thus trust their political decisions as long as they do not contradict creed and religion. We support them wholeheartedly with all patriotism and enthusiasm. For this, I say briefly that the brothers disagreed and then reconciled after reason intervened and paved the way for wisdom.
Of course, both the Emirati and Qatari peoples rejoiced at the reconciliation, and we say obedience without any thought or discussion. As peoples, there is nothing between us to anger each other, and I believe that the Emirati people, from whom I come, and the Gulf peoples in general are capable of overcoming crises. We are happy peoples, thanks be to God.
How did the idea of photography arise for you?
Photography is a love of life, nature, and optimism because the psyche is reflected in the image, whether drawn or through photographic photography. I loved the hobby of photography because I love the place where I sit or live. Meaning, if I get used to a specific seat in a café, I love it and do not like change. Likewise, people and places—photographing these with love gave me the ability to innovate and take pictures from several angles that add professionalism, beauty, and beautiful colors. I always hear praise and admiration from people concerning this matter, which was a positive and encouraging motivator. So, thanks be to God, I excelled in it.
Here, I would like to say that everyone must love the place and work they do and believe in their abilities to excel in it. Why do they draw hearts on coffee cups in most cafés, for example? The point is they want to convey a message that this coffee was made with love, so the person will be happy drinking his coffee and will love it even if it is bitter.

Al-Bannai: Gulf people are brothers, and we Emiratis follow our rulers.

What would you like to say through Arab Canada newspaper as an Arab mother living in Canada?
Children are more important than any element in society, so we must build strong personalities sound in mind and body so they can build a healthy society free from defects and physical and mental diseases. I hope every father and mother pay great attention to their children so as not to lose them because losing children is the real loss. They must pay attention to the issue of mind-damaging substances that children can easily obtain here.
 
Finally, what is the story behind the name Bint Zayed?
We always express our pride in our Emirati identity and wish our country all good and progress, so I chose to present myself under the name Bint Zayed.
As I mentioned, we Emiratis consider ourselves the happiest people. My presence in Canada made me present myself like this, and this is what we naturally do in exile. I noticed when I introduce myself as being from the Emirates, I see joy on the face of the person in front of me and a better willingness to talk and greater respect for me, to the extent that if I say to any person where are you from, they do not speak comfortably, but I deliberately say I am Emirati, and then the other person starts introducing himself more lovingly and without any fear.