‘The Zayed I knew’
Reminiscences of individuals who knew the UAE’s Father of the Nation and were touched by his generosity, humanitarianism and vision
T he UAE is safe. Peaceful. Clean. Prosperous. Educated. Home to thriving cities. The UAE exists the way that it does today because of one man: Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, an international insignia of dignity and tolerance. This year marks 100 years since Shaikh Zayed was born. Abu Dhabi was his birthplace, Al Ain his home and a UAE his goal. The founding father was persistent and kind. He was imaginative and generous. Citizens of the UAE saw Shaikh Zayed as more than their country’s leader — they saw him as a father.
He was a father who celebrated his people’s weddings, would mourn at funerals and visit the ill in their homes to comfort them. His goals were not only to build a thriving metropolis but to nurture a sense of self-belief among his citizens, to empower women, educate children and create a clean and green environment for all of us to live in.
He ruled the UAE for 33 years, provided a leadership with vision and foresight, followed his instincts and ruled with fairness and with heart.
Gulf News ventured into Al Ain, a place Shaikh Zayed called home. Shaikh Zayed knew many people from all over the world, but those closest to him resided in Al Ain. We sat down with a few of the men who were close to him.
Falah Al Qubaisi
Shaikh Zayed’s former personal photographer, Falah Al Qubaisi, revealed untold stories that emphasised Shaikh Zayed’s kind heart, compassion and generosity to those in need. Al Qubaisi narrated an incident in which Shaikh Zayed stopped by the side of the road as he noticed three young men struggling to pick dates from a tall palm tree. While other people drove past unconcerned, Shaikh Zayed’s concern for the three workers made him stop, help them and finally, order the minister of agriculture to start planting short-sized date yielding palms so that no one would go hungry or get hurt while seeking sustenance.
He also showed us around his majlis pointing out rare and unpublished photographs of Shaikh Zayed and other UAE rulers. His favourite photo was one of him looking much younger, chatting with Shaikh Zayed as they walked down a hallway with red carpets. He opened an old suitcase and showed us hundreds of old press badges that he collected throughout the years, as he followed Shaikh Zayed all over the world to photograph his official appearances.
Hamdan Al Darei
Famed Emirati historian and writer Hamdan Al Darei, offered an important insight: it was the sagacious, farsighted vision of Shaikh Zayed that made the discovery of oil turn into a blessing for the UAE. Had it not been for the way Shaikh Zayed channelled this breakthrough, the UAE may not have been anything like it is today, said Al Darei. Shaikh Zayed knew how to use the positive opportunities that presented themselves to the UAE, for the good of his people, he said.
Shaikh Zayed’s strong personality, he said, powerful instincts and the courage to do the right thing were what worked as motivating forces for the UAE.
Mohammad Al Shamsi
A close friend of the ruling family, Al Shamsi even travelled with Shaikh Zayed to India in the 1950s. He spoke of Shaikh Zayed’s goodness, compassion and humanitarianism. Everyone wants to be like Shaikh Zayed, but no leader came close to becoming like him, he said. Shaikh Zayed was an unbelievable force of nature and a powerful soul. “Shaikh Zayed did things that no one else could ever do,” he said.
Al Shamsi described him as kind, brave and generous, a man who was a father figure.
“For those reasons, Zayed will always remain in the minds and hearts of the people. We would all love to be children of Zayed.”