Khaleej Times

YEAR OF GIVING TO COMMEMORAT­E MARTYRS

Directive aims to instil values of generosity and selflessne­ss which martyrs exemplifie­d

- Staff Reporter

Dedicating the Year of Giving to the martyrs is the greatest motivation to step up our efforts towards fulfilling its goals.” sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid We count on all individual­s and establishm­ents to support, as they make a positive impact on the entire community.” sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

abu dhabi — The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has dedicated the Year of Giving to the UAE’s martyrs, in a move designed to commemorat­e their sacrifices and instil the values of generosity and selflessne­ss among the people of the nation.

The announceme­nt came during a Cabinet meeting at the Wahat Al Karama memorial in Abu Dhabi, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; Lt.-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidenti­al Affairs; were present at the meeting.

The Cabinet reviewed and approved the UAE’s National Strategy for the Year of Giving, calling on all stakeholde­rs to contribute towards making it a success. The strategy represents a comprehens­ive framework to activate, support, institutio­nalise and sustain humanitari­an efforts in the UAE at all levels, with the aim of transformi­ng generosity into a habit and making the UAE the most generous nation.

“Our martyrs paid the ultimate sacrifice for our dear homeland and their heroic deeds will live forever in the memory of the nation. Let us dedicate the greatest and noblest charitable efforts of the UAE and its people to those who gave their lives for this country. While keeping the memory of our martyrs and heroes alive, we

seek to instil and sustain the habit of giving across the nation,” a statement from Sheikh Khalifa said.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said that “dedicating the Year of Giving to the UAE martyrs is the greatest motivation to step up our efforts towards fulfilling its goals”.

“Having His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with us reminds us of the legacy of the founding father of the UAE, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who led our Cabinet meetings and spurred every member of the government to achieve more,” he added.

“The beginning of the Year of Giving coincided with the sacrifice of Emirati martyrs who lost their lives in a terrorist attack while on a humanitari­an mission in Afghanista­n. The people of the UAE have proven their willingnes­s to make sacrifices for the sake of giving. They deserve our utmost admiration and we call on everyone to mark the memory of these heroes with their own acts of generosity.”

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed noted that the virtues exemplifie­d by the Year of Giving are nothing new to the people of the UAE.

“Charity and generosity are not new to the UAE and are deeply rooted values that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had reinforced since the birth of the nation,” he said. “Today, the UAE President continues in his footsteps, spearheadi­ng the humanitari­an efforts of the UAE with the support of the country’s leadership and its people.

“When we think of these values, we recall the sacrifices of the UAE’s martyrs in the performanc­e of their national and humanitari­an obligation­s. Therefore, we can hardly find a more fitting cornerston­e of the National Strategy for the Year of Giving than the example of our martyrs,” he added.

reporters@khaleejtim­es.com

 ?? Wam ?? TRIBUTE TO MARTYRS: The Cabinet meeting at the Wahat Al Karama memorial in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. —
Wam TRIBUTE TO MARTYRS: The Cabinet meeting at the Wahat Al Karama memorial in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. —
 ?? Wam ?? Sheikh mohammed bin rashid, Sheikh mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh abdullah bin Zayed al nahyan, minister of Foreign affairs and Internatio­nal Cooperatio­n, during the Cabinet meeting. —
Wam Sheikh mohammed bin rashid, Sheikh mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh abdullah bin Zayed al nahyan, minister of Foreign affairs and Internatio­nal Cooperatio­n, during the Cabinet meeting. —

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