UAE dignitaries hail unveiling of Founder’s Memorial in honour of Sheikh Zayed
The Founder’s Memorial will bear witness to the great acts of Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, said Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
On Monday night, the monument was unveiled to the country’s leaders and VIPs in a dazzling display of technology, colour and light on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche.
“The memorial is a glowing tribute to giving, contributions and services by Sheikh Zayed to his people, nation and the world at large,” Sheikh Hazza said.
“Sheikh Zayed is a leader who loved his people and built a nation founded on values of tolerance and amity that respects rich legacy and embraces values of modernity.”
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and chairman of the National Media Council, hailed the unveiling of the memorial, describing it as a token of gratitude to Sheikh Zayed, an exceptional leader who founded a country of dreams, achievements and opportunities.
“We are very proud of our leadership who follow in the footsteps of the late Sheikh Zayed and who continue the comprehensive development drive in the UAE.
“Thanks to Sheikh Zayed’s legacy, we enjoy progress and prosperity today. Yet we have a great responsibility to work day and night to honour and preserve this legacy under the wise leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” he said.
Dr Al Jaber said the Founder’s Memorial would enable current and future generations to learn from the principles and values upheld by Sheikh Zayed.
Sheikha Fatima, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, said that her late husband deserved to be honoured by his nation and people, because he was unique in his giving, intellect and humanity, which have influenced the entire nation and beyond.
Sheikha Fatima noted that “Zayed the Giving” did not forget women before or while founding the country. He supported them and affirmed that both halves of the community, women and men, should build the nation together.
“Women are the sisters of men, so they are equal in rights and duties, and they both have the responsibility to participate in the country’s development,” Sheikha Fatima said.
She said Sheikh Zayed’s legacy has made the UAE a centre of communication and social interaction between other countries and their people, and created a model of co-existence, tolerance and nation-building, which prioritises people and their happiness, welfare, advancement and prosperity.