The Late H.H Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
The late Sheikh Zayed was not born in privilege nor in excessive riches. His father was Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1922 to 1966.
When his father was inaugurated as ruler of Abu Dhabi on 6 August 1966, the United Arab Emirates was not established yet. Before this, he was the ruler’s representative in Al-Ain And the Eastern region for more than 20 years. When he was called as a leader in 1966 the Emirate of Abu Dhabi began to develop. Sheikh Zayed utilized the emirate’s oil revenues to establish infrastructure, and services. With his mantra: “Money is of no use, if not utilized in serving the people.”, he established residential areas, universities, institutes, colleges, and modern infrastructure.
He was successful in using the resources of the emirate of Abu Dhabi to provide electricity, water, telecommunications and transportation facilities to the people of Abu Dhabi. From 1968 to 2002 the total expenditure on developing the emirate has exceeded Dhs 160 billion. He made possible achievements in all aspects, such as industry , agriculture, education, health and culture.
Sheikh Zayed not only cared for Abu Dhabi but for all emirates as well. He said: “union is the way to power and glory, lack of union leads to weakness” To make this a reality he took the lead in establishing for a Federation among the emirates and invited the other rulers to join.
On February 18, 1968 at As-Samha, Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashed met to form a Federation between the two emirates. The other emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharja, Ras Al Khaima, Ajman, Um al Quwain, Fujairah as well as Qatar and Bahrain were also invited to join them.
In October 1969, all the rulers agreed to formally organize a Federation, where Sheikh Zayed was elected as the first president with Sheikh Rashid was elected as vice president. On 18th July 1971, a good two years later, the council of rulers held a special meeting on Dubai and announced the establishment of the State of the United Arab Emirates. This was formalized on December 2, 1971 which became national day that is celebrated each year.
From that time all resources were allocated to the service of the Federal State. Oil revenues were utilized to foster education, health services, roads, houses, transport, and means of communications.
His basic projects involved the creation of basic infrastructures such as hospitals, schools, higher education institutes, cultural and technical centers, military and academic institutions. With all these, however, Sheikh Zayed recognizes that best achievement is the development of human resources. He worked to empower the UAE people to make each of them a participant in making the UAE a glorious nation. One of his best achievements was the modernizing the educational curriculum and the introduction of technology to prepare the youth for the future.
Sheikh Zayed was wise man, who exhibited courage in supporting justice and rights for the whole of humanity. When Sheikh Zayed passed away on November 2, 2004 he left a legacy of glory and progress that is now acknowledged around the world. He was succeeded by H.H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates who at the moment leads the emirates to a continuation of a marvelous vision.