In this article I will introduce to you the legend and the myth and great founder and president of the United Arab Emirates and one of the most outstanding leaders in the history of the world ,His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Well I have chosen this research because I heard a lot from people of different nations talking about this person of great achievement and success. Actually it makes you feel proud when you hear about His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan from a person that is not related to your culture or your country.
In 1918 His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was born as the fourth son of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the name of Zayed was given to His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan by his great-grand father Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
In those days Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the ruler of a small town in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi Bani Yas, which was not far from Al Ain.Sheikh Zayed moved to the oasis of Al Ain, about 160 km from Abu Dhabi, where he spent his youth and grew up and received his religious education because at that time there were not any modern government schools or institutes to study so he began in his early years reading the Holy Quran as principles of Islam with his friends. His Highness expressed his great interest in nature and the importance of resources and sources. During the period His Highness Sheikh Zayed living in the desert under a humid climate in Al Ain so that made him start developing more and he made a lot of expansion in agriculture and ordered the planting of trees and facilities important or related to agriculture. This made a great and beautiful reflection of the city. He completely changed the structure from sand to fully green. With this he earned a lot of respect and admiration in village people’s eyes. With that impact His Highness Sheikh Zayed was ruler or representative of Al Ain instead of his brother Sheikh Shakhboot when he left that position because of some economic difficulties. He solved many problems and differences between the people and found solutions to improve their living condition which was a benefit for the country also.
So he had a significant impact on the people and was loved by the people.
On the 6th of August in 1966 Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the ruler of the Emirate, Abu Dhabi. It is interesting to note that His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan approved the huge developmental projects within a short period in the first weeks of his rule. His Highness also developed international bonds establishing the United Arab Emirates as a country with global reach and significance and the importance or value of this country grew around the world.After the combination of Al Ain and Abu Dhabi he went forward to include all the other Emirates for the union.
So His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan went to meet the ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, discussing with him about the union of the emirates. And he made sure of selecting great rulers for each Emirate. In 1968 Britain announced its departure from the country by the year 1971.
On 2nd of December 1971 all the seven emirates except Ras Al Khaima which joined later in 1972, Formed a union Bahrain and Qatar were to be part of the country but they declined due to some circumstances. So by the suggestion of His Highness Sheikh Zayed and His Highness Sheikh Rashid they decided the name of United Arab Emirates; the seven emirates that were decided were Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras Al Khaima and last but not the least is Fujairah. From that day people started celebrations with a lot of flags to celebrate independence Day or national day. (http://guide.theemiratesnetwork.com/basics/zayed.php)
During several years His Highness Sheikh Zayed was facing health problems and not feeling well so in 1996 he travelled to the United States for the medical checkups on a regular basis, also for a spinal surgery, and after a few years he travelled again for a kidney transplant, both of which he recovered successfully from and returned to the country safely. Unfortunately on the 2nd of November in 2004, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi died.
And his graveyard is built in his own famous mosque located in the heart of Abu Dhabi (Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque). He was nearly 90 years old when he died and had ruled since 1966. But his vision for the future success does not stop; his eldest son Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan continues and has been selected for the status and position of his great father as the President of the country. (http://guide.theemiratesnetwork.com/basics/zayed.php)
Reference:
www.faculty.uae.ac.ae (http://faculty.uaeu.ac.ae/~eesa/History/zayed.html ) Copyright © 2008
www.guide.theemiratesnetwork.com(http://guide.theemiratesnetwork.com/basics/zayed.php) Copyright © 2011 The Emirates Network [TEN]. All Rights Reserved.
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