The Sheikh Zayed I Knew
Sheikh Zayed was a charismatic man. Four residents, who have experienced his larger-than-life persona, tell us what it was like to meet the visionary leader.
Zayed was friendly and accessible to his people
One of my fondest memories of meeting Sheikh Zayed was during his visit to the North and South Yemen in 1977. I was making a documentary about his visit for Abu Dhabi Television.
Sheikh Zayed was invited for lunch at the Vice-President’s house outside of the capital, Sanaa. It was a Friday, and we were traveling with a dusty cavalcade of cars. On the way, we were greeted by hundreds of Yemeni tribesmen who were lining the streets to greet Sheikh Zayed. He was very popular in Yemen and had close relationships with the Yemeni leadership.
As soon as they saw Sheikh Zayed, the crowd erupted in delight and started dancing. All of a sudden, Sheikh Zayed grabbed a gun and started dancing with the tribesmen. There were gunshots blazing in the air. That was a great prelude to the lunch. I can never forget that sight of a beaming Sheikh Zayed dancing with the crowd, and of course, I filmed the whole incident. He was warm, friendly and completely at ease though security men were somewhat nervous.
That is one quality of Sheikh Zayed that made him a great leader. He was never remote from his people. When he was among ordinary people, he was able to relate to them; relate to their worries, concerns and happiness. (As told to Anjana Sankar)
i can never forget that sight of a beaming sheikh Zayed dancing with the crowd, and of course, i filmed the whole incident dancing with the tribesmen.”
Zayed stood out as a man among men, a people’s man
Iwas the youngest officer to serve in the Trucial Oman Scouts when I joined them at the age of 20 in 1959. I was stationed at Fort Jahli in Al Ain, which is a museum now. Sheikh Zayed’s older brother Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the ruler back then, and Sheikh Zayed was his representative in Al Ain. He would visit the fort and spend time with us, and that is when I got to know him well.
Life was a lot more relaxed back then. There was no electricity or air conditioning, and the pace of life was much slower. Sheikh Zayed also had a lot of time to spend with people, and he loved being with them.
He loved the desert and the way of life of the desert people. You could see that the respect and love people had for him was mutual and natural. He loved hunting, and I was privileged to be one of the few who accompanied him often on his hunts. From the very first time I met him, I realised he stood out as a man among many men. He had a very inquisitive mind, and he was a man of the people and loved spending time with them.
I live here now, and I’ve witnessed the incredible transformation over the last 60 years. Back then, there were hardly any schools or hospitals. It has been a privilege to see what the country has achieved, all thanks to the vision of Sheikh Zayed. (As told to Dhanusha Gokulan)
he loved the desert and the way of life of the desert people. you could see that the respect and love people had for him was mutual and natural.”
Zayed’s words encouraged me to pursue my passion
Iset my camera lens and eyes on the late Sheikh Zayed in 1968. I was a struggling photographer back then, and there was barely much income to support the family. There was a three-day camel race in Sharjah, and I hopped on my bicycle and headed to the racetrack with my camera. Sheikh Zayed and several other Rulers were watching the sport.
It was the first time I took photos of the rulers. I returned home, developed the images, and went back the next day to present the framed picture to Sheikh Zayed. He took the picture, smiled, signed it, and gave the pen he used to sign the picture, and told me ‘You are number 1’.
His words of encouragement gave me the strength to continue capturing images of the region. In 1971, I witnessed the signing of the treaty for the formation of the UAE. I knew that moment was history in the making. I still feel the image of him signing the treaty is one of my best works. (As told to Dhanusha Gokulan)
i went back the next day to present the framed picture. he took the picture, smiled, signed, and gave the pen he used to sign the image, and told me ‘you are no 1.”
From Zayed, I learned to speak my mind freely
Imet Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for the first time on October 21, 1969, as I covered the fourth meeting of the Union between nine Rulers. He asked me to go in to observe the meeting and write about it.
I was very impressed with him during the very first meeting. After that, I started to accompany him to cover his all activities in and out of the UAE.
In 1973, I accompanied him on his 37day tour of all the Emirates. At the end of the tour, he ordered his court to produce a documentary on the UAE and assigned me to do it in Germany.
During my long years accompanying Sheikh Zayed, I learned from him how to be frank, straightforward and to say what was in my mind without fear.
Sheikh Zayed used to ask me what the foreign media was writing about the UAE and I used to sit down and brief him about it. (As told to Kelly Clarke)
during my long years accompanying sheikh Zayed, i learned from him how to be frank, straightforward and to say what was in my mind without fear.”