‘Zayed’s values still guide us’
Zayed’s innumerable values and philosophy guided UAE then and they continue to do so now, say those who worked closely with him
When Major Ali Saqr Al Suwaidi met Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan on Sir Bani Yas Island at the age of 20 to film artificial coral reefs underwater, there were two things he heard from him that stayed with him — to preserve the UAE’s natural environment for future generations and train the youth on the traditions of the country.
Closely observing the environmental efforts of Shaikh Zayed in turning desert islands into successful reserves, Al Suwaidi, an avid pearl diver and fisherman from a very young age, made it a mission to safeguard marine and terrestrial ecosystems just the same way.
Now 60, Al Suwaidi, the man behind the Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG) and a stretch of pristine beach and tidal pools called the Ghantoot Nature Reserve, takes Gulf News down the memory lane of the many enduring values he personally got to experience with Shaikh Zayed and how they are still guiding the UAE.
“The late Shaikh Zayed carries a great and beautiful history. We always considered him a father before being a shaikh because he was very close to the people and took care of everyone,” said Al Suwaidi.
Desert meant a lot to him
Since Shaikh Zayed lived in the desert, it meant a lot to him, he added. “He feared it would not be preserved for future generations and so he worked hard on making nature reserves. He thought ahead of his time.
“Shaikh Zayed became the first person to build a reserve in the entire Gulf and to spearhead conservation works in this area. In the 1960s, he began his work in protecting animals and birds when not many were aware of that. To this day, the UAE leadership and its people follow in the same footsteps in preserving the environment,” he said.
Greening the Sir Bani Yas island in order for animals to live in a natural environment was among Shaikh Zayed’s main goals. Now the wildlife reserve island is a shining example of the UAE’s success in environment management.
Working closely with Shaikh Zayed to build more artificial coral reefs around the UAE, Al Suwaidi said that there were many great values Shaikh Zayed embodied.
Ardent listener
“Shaikh Zayed’s majlis was a place where you could learn many things. People seeking knowledge and wisdom would visit the majlis. He would also spend more than 15 hours just listening to the people and that was not easy. He wanted us to continue to do the same in guiding the younger generation and teaching them the culture and heritage of the country, including the importance of protecting the environment.”
His generosity was a reputation that followed him everywhere, Al Suwaidi said. “He loved to share his money with the people, and he used to say that the oil coming to the UAE is not for me but for everybody.”
Compassion and generosity
Al Suwaidi narrated the story of a time when Shaikh Zayed was flown to Germany for treatment. At that time, he had asked his secretary to enquire about the financial needs of other Arabs in town.
“His secretary got him letters from different people asking for a house, car, money or furniture and he helped all of them.”
Sharing another story, Al Suwaidi said that one day, while Shaikh Zayed was passing by Liwa in the peak of the summer to have a look at the palm trees being planted as per his request, a Pakistani worker asked to greet Shaikh Zayed.
“When he approached him, the worker asked Shaikh Zayed why he had requested to plant palm trees in the hot climate when they were not going to survive. Shaikh Zayed told him, I’m thinking about you and your family more than anyone else; if you work and make money, that makes me happy.”
Al Suwaidi said tolerance, compassion and humanitarianism are the values that are still evident in the UAE. “We are upholding these traditions to this day. The UAE has welcomed people of over 200 nationalities and we respect them because they are the ones who helped build this country.”
The Emirati identity, he said, has been embedded in all Emirati households for generations because of Shaikh Zayed. “The most wonderful thing is that he created an identity for the UAE and made sure we are proud of our traditional dress. He used to teach us to be proud of our flag and our national identity,” said Al Suwaidi.
“Shaikh Zayed is the best treasure God has given us.” Al Suwaidi, a father of three, has founded several training programmes to teach marine science and environment. More than 2,000 children visit the Ghantoot Reserve yearly to learn about the environment and about pearl diving.
Shaikh Zayed became the first person to build a reserve in the entire Gulf and to spearhead conservation works in this area.”
Major Ali Saqr Al Suwaidi |
Chairman, EMEG