Zayed-Rashid legacy lives on

Founding fathers’ dedication and vision helped build a strong nation

Web Chief Reporter

Had it not been for the exhaustive efforts and cooperation of two great leaders, the shape of the UAE’s future would have been different from what we know of it today.

Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum became the founding fathers of the nation through sheer hard work and perseverance, as they remained committed to their vision to successfully join the seven emirates into one united front.

Emiratis fondly refer to Shaikh Zayed as “Baba Zayed” — Father of the Nation — for it was his ideology of peace, harmony and tolerance that helped formation of the union. Shaikh Zayed, who was born around 1918 into the Bani Yas family in the Jahili area of Al Ain, was a charitable and humble man, who put the country’s needs before all else. He believed the country’s wealth from oil and gas should be devoted towards building an advanced nation.

Shaikh Rashid is known as the founder of modern Dubai who transformed a modest emirate into a buzzing metropolis. Born in 1912, Shaikh Rashid grew up in the neighbourhood of Al Shindagha and when he became Ruler of Dubai in 1958, took the city to new heights as his futuristic vision encompassed construction of a port, a world trade centre and expansion of Dubai Creek — in addition to developing the city’s infrastructure involving bridges, an airport and seaports.

Prior to the formation of the UAE, the country was known as the Trucial States that comprised seven states — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah.

Throughout the 19th century, the Gulf area was important to

With the support of Shaikh Rashid, Shaikh Zayed embarked on a journey to gain support from the other five emirates, and also invited Bahrain and Qatar to join the union. After much deliberation, Qatar, Bahrain and Ras Al Khaimah decided to remain autonomous.

On December 1, 1971, the British protectorate treaty expired – marking the end of one era that paved the way for an entirely new chapter.

On December 2, Shaikh Zayed was elected as the first President of Dawlat Al Emarat Al Arabiyya Al Muttahida (United Arab Emirates) and Shaikh Rashid became the Vice-President.

Ras Al Khaimah joined the UAE two months later, on February 10, 1972. the British government for their strategic defence of India. So while the Trucial Sates did not belong to the British Empire, it received protection in turn for not selling any of its land to foreign governments.

This agreement was mutually accepted by both parties until the production of oil in Abu Dhabi in 1962, and later in Dubai and Sharjah. The rapid development and oil wealth prompted leaders with the desire to form a federation, which was fuelled even further in 1968, after the British government announced its intention to withdraw from the Gulf by the end of 1971.

On February 18, 1968, history was created when Shaikh Zayed and Shaikh Rashid agreed to merge their respective emirates and jointly conduct foreign affairs, defence, security and social services and a common immigration policy.

This agreement eventually became known as the Union Accord.

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