The UAE's FM went on Sesame Street to encourage kids to read more

“My participation in the show was to urge children to read more."

Ministers who care about making citizens happy? Talk about cool.  

Emirates' Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan shared a video of his appearance on the Arabic edition of the children's program 'Sesame Street', through his twitter account on Thursday.

Al Nahyan took a starring role on the show and read a story to children alongside Sesame Street's signature puppets

“My participation in the show was to urge children to read more," he said. 

The appearance came in response to a request made by Emirates' Minister of State for Happiness, Ohood Al Roumi, who recently launched the initiative "Giving is Happiness" or #العطاء_سعادة.

People took notice, sharing the video on social media platforms in support of the campaign.

'My participation in the show was to urge children to read more and also comes in support of minister Ohood Al Roumi's initiative "Giving is Happiness''.

Some shared their love for the two ministers

While others applauded Al Nahyan

"This is how Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed responded to the initiative 'Giving is Happiness', thank you for your giving spirit"

"Tomorrow this country will yield the care and love that you plant today."

Elmo and his friend's couldn't agree more

Egypt's star archaeologist said Messi is an 'idiot' when compared to Will Smith

Zahi Hawass later issued an apology ... blaming an interpreter.

Egypt's star archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass called Lionel Messi an "idiot" and later apologized, saying he was actually upset about the interpreter.

But before the "idiot" remark, Hawass –  a veteran archaeologist and the country's former minister of antiquities – showered the legendary footballer with praise. Discussing Messi's visit to the Pyramids last month, Hawass said: "this is the most important visit in the history of the pyramids!"

Apparently his mood changed later ...

When asked Sunday how Messi's reaction to the Pyramids compared to that of American actor Will Smith, who swung by Egypt over the weekend, Hawass was ready with criticism.

"Messi is an idiot, and I am sorry to say that," he said, according to the Associated Press. "I was explaining the antiquities to him and there's no reaction in his face. I was explaining things that would make a rock react, but he was just like an idiot," he said.

Note, he referred to Messi as an "idiot" not once, but twice in that response.

But he later issued an apology ... blaming an interpreter.

Hawass tried to explain his insult, saying that he was actually not referring to the legendary super star ... but to the interpreter accompanying them on the tour. 

"I apologize to Messi and his fans for the misunderstanding," he said, professing to be an avid fan of the Argentinian footballer. "The nature of brief telephone interviews does not allow enough time to accurately explain what is meant. That contributed to the misunderstanding," he said.

But, Hawass never mentioned the interpreter before. Hmm.

Regardless, the archaeologist said he'd be happy to show Messi the tomb of King Tutankhamun in Luxor, that is, if the football star ever comes again.

Hawass is a veteran archaeologist and the country's former minister of antiquities. He's known for leading TV specials on Egypt's ancient sites.