192,000 Gratitude Messages Light Up SIRA's Digital UAE Observatory
The Security Industry Regulatory Agency has turned a community initiative into a global portal across Dubai, logging more than 850,000 visitors during the second phase of the “Thank You UAE” campaign. Residents and international participants from 171 countries submitted over 192,000 messages celebrating local security, stability, and daily life in the Emirates.
Over 121,000 Messages Approved as Virtual Stars in New Observatory
SIRA confirmed that over 192,000 notes originated from within the UAE, alongside more than 18,000 entries sent from abroad. Artificial intelligence screening approved over 121,000 of those submissions for public view. The campaign’s second phase introduced the “Thank You UAE Observatory,” a digital telescope feature that transforms every approved note of appreciation into a glowing virtual star.
Public sector teams across Dubai joined the digital effort. The Dubai Transport Security Department encouraged its officers, personnel, and civilian staff to send personal entries into the platform. Major General Obaid Al Hathboor, Director of the Transport Security Department at Dubai Police, stated that internal participation reinforces national identity and social responsibility across public safety teams. Digital Dubai and Dubai Courts also participated directly in the second phase.
Data gathered from an analysis of over 187,000 messages highlights the specific values people appreciate most about living in and visiting the country. Pride and belonging led all themes at 41 per cent, followed closely by security and safety at 38 per cent. Confidence in leadership and local institutions reached 34 per cent, while economic opportunities and development accounted for 30 per cent. Another 23 per cent focused on happiness and quality of life, with tolerance and coexistence tying at 18 per cent alongside participants describing the UAE as their second home.
The UAE recorded the highest volume of participation, followed by Egypt, Pakistan, India, Syria, Yemen, Jordan, the Philippines, Sudan, and Bangladesh. Khalifa Ibrahim Alsaleis, Chief Executive Officer of SIRA, noted that roughly 80 per cent of total entries carried themes of direct appreciation, reflecting deep human connections across 171 nationalities.
SIRA will use the message analytics to help shape future public programs across the emirate.
