One-month bonus for all govt staff on Zayed centenary
ON THIS DAY 100 YEARS AGO, THE UAE’S ARCHITECT WAS BORN. TEAM KT PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LEADER OF MASSES
abu dhabi — All government employees and retirees will get a bonus worth one month’s basic salary in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the UAE’s founding father, the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, on May 6.
The Dh1.6 billion worth of payment will be made before Eid Al Fitr, it was announced on Saturday.
The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ordered the payment to all serving and retired government employees, civilians and
Today, 100 years have passed since the birth of Sheikh Zayed, and the UAE will remain strong and stable for hundreds of years because of him
Sheikh Khalifa
military, as well as beneficiaries of social welfare services.
Dubai also ordered a similar bonus for all government employees.
Sheikh Khalifa said: “Sheikh Zayed was the symbol of giving during his lifetime and even after his death. Today, 100 years have passed since the birth of Sheikh Zayed, and the UAE will remain strong and stable for hundreds of years because of him.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said Sheikh Zayed’s 100th birth anniversary was historic. “The people of the UAE will always remain faithful to the memory of Sheikh Zayed.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said: “The UAE is strong due to Sheikh Zayed’s history ... His values are present in the blood of every citizen.”
Exactly 100 years ago, the person who was destined to transform a backwater hamlet into a vibrant country was born in Abu Dhabi’s Qasr Al Hosn. Celebrated as ‘the man who turned the desert green’, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan went on to become the Founding Father of the UAE and one of the world’s most approachable leaders.
Named after his grandfather, Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan (‘Zayed the Great’) — who was the symbol of justice, generosity and courage — Sheikh Zayed grew up in a family of leaders and became a visionary who dedicated his life for the improvement of the country in particular and humanity in general.
At the time of Sheikh Zayed’s birth, the emirate was undeveloped, with an economy based primarily on fishing, pearl diving and simple agriculture. As a young adult, he travelled throughout Abu Dhabi, gaining a deep understanding of the land and its people. It was Sheikh Zayed’s vision that has made the UAE what it is today — a happy land full of opportunities.
His biggest achievement is the unification of the seven emirates into a single federation and transforming it into a modern country. A voice of modernism, the late Sheikh Zayed relentlessly worked to develop cooperation between the seven Trucial States (as the UAE was called before the unification) and it was through his vision that modernisation of the UAE was achieved without the destruction of society, traditions and culture.
The 1968-71 period was probably one of the most difficult of his career, as he cajoled, persuaded, forgave and promoted the creation of a federation that became the UAE on December 2, 1971. While he promoted equestrianism, camel racing and hunting on one side, on the other, he also encouraged citizens to develop themselves through education. He wanted the youth to educate themselves highly, seek employment and benefit the society.