National Identity extended?

Have noted the naturalisation application process in Wafi and other malls for the stateless bidoon ("without"), for foreign Arab applicants, and those in the half way stage between already being Emirati but not having a copy of the so-called family book. I understand from the UAE press that all kinds of applicants are invited to sign up in the next month, but privately I understand that the bidoon are getting first priority. A recent sympathetic article in Gulf News about the plight of one such man affirms this impression.