LoVe for Uae’S foUNDINg faTher

Don Victor Mooney’s affinity to Sheikh Zayed and the UAE began almost two decades ago. “Back in 2002, during the reign of Sheikh Zayed, I wrote to the UAE Mission to the United Nations for a humanitarian project, which involved collecting sand and soil from UN member states. After this, I began researching on Sheikh Zayed and found him to be an amazing person.”

“I was inspired by his type of leadership and dedication for the environment. The peace, stability, innovation and coexistence are leading factors that continues to make the UAE a model for humanity,” he added.

Mooney, who is dual citizen of the USA and Equatorial Guinea, has been to the UAE twice. First in June 2006, when he did an eight-day bike run across the seven emirates. It was the peak of summer — he only biked at night — and he learned a lot about the UAE’s culture.

“I ended my bike ride at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and I was wearing a hard hat back then because it was still under construction,” he said.

Then he was back in October 2006 to get support for his trans-Atlantic boat ride. Mooney named his first rowboat in honour of Sheikh Zayed and designed his second and third boats in UAE colours and emblazoned ‘Spirit of Zayed’ and ‘Never Give Up’ respectively.

Mooney said his recent NYC bike ride is a continuation of his mission to promote Sheikh Zayed’s teachings.