SHEIKH ZAYED MAN OF COURAGE
AS THE UAE CELEBRATES 2018 AS THE YEAR OF ZAYED, KHALEEJ TIMES DELVES INTO HISTORY TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE LATE SHEIKH ZAYED BIN SULTAN AL NAHYAN IS DEEMED A VISIONARY LEADER. IN THE SECOND MONTH OF THE YEAR, WE EXPLORE HIS FORESIGHT AND VISION THAT UNIFIED
man is mortal, but his work is not. therefore, work is greater than wealth. the real asset of any nation is its people, and the prosperity and success of the people are measured by the standard of their education.”
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If one seeks to know what goes into the making of a charismatic leader, then he or she should know about the many facets of the country’s late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who passed away in 2004.
The late Sheikh Zayed rightly earned the title as ‘Great son of Arabs’ not only because he won the hearts of his people but also because he was a true leader with phenomenal qualities such as wisdom, farsightedness and most importantly, courage to solving problems his people and country faced during the dark times.
One of the first instances of his ability to take risk, judge aptly and show courage was when he undertook the task of rebuilding the falaj or irrigation channels that underpinned the country’s all-important agriculture sector. He found that the falaj system, which had lasted a remarkable length of time, had gradually fallen into disrepair. As crop yields had shrunk, so traditional farming families moved to the coast. Sheikh Zayed took the risk and borrowed heavily from those closest to him to invest in a programme of rebuilding the falaj, which he reasoned would not benefit the farmers but also create jobs among the community. His judgement did not prove wrong. During 1949 and 1954 it is estimated that what had been a yearon-year loss of acreage under agriculture had been transformed into growth. The British political agent, Sir Hugh Boustead commented: “Everything he (Sheikh Zayed) managed to accomplish in Al Ain and the surrounding areas was all for the benefit of the people.”
The efficient falaj system opened up new, rich lands and Sheikh Zayed was distributing this to the farmers.
Another instance of the late ruler’s ability to think the unthinkable was when came the moment of laying the oil pipeline across miles of Abu Dhabi desert. This was something never been thought of before. Sheikh Zayed was given the charge of keeping peace between the oil companies and the bedouins, who were still suspicious at this alien invasion of their lands. And he managed to convince them and exert his authority. On July 5, 1962, the tanker British Signal put to sea from Abu Dhabi’s sea bed for the first time, carried a full load of crude oil. Sheikh Zayed was present on the occasion to witness this. It is said to be one of the most significant moments in the history of the sheikhdom. From this day everything began changing for the people of Abu Dhabi.
Graeme H. Wilson, in his book “Zayed: A man who built a nation”, said: “Sheikh Zayed was a leader concerned with stability. Over the first two decades of his rule, he sought a role as arbitrator rather than aggressor and was widely respected through this… Born a bedouin nobleman, his early life saw him defending his family’s lands in struggles with far greater powers. Later when his talents were needed elsewhere, Sheikh Zayed turned his back on a traditional lifestyle in order to settle in the Al Nahyan family’s seat of power, Abu Dhabi, and bring about a fundamental change.
Sheikh Zayed acted as an intermediary in many regional and international disputes, including the Iran-Iraq war in which his intercession is credited as a major factor in bringing the conflict to an end.
Also, in 1999, Sheikh Zayed was among the first world leaders to express support for the decision by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) to launch its aerial campaign to force Serbia to halt its genocidal activities against the people of Kosovo. From late 1999 to 2001, the UAE contingent serving with the UN’s peacekeeping Kosovo Force (KFOR) was the largest from any of the nonNato states, and the only one from an Arab or Muslim country.
Today, Shaikh Zayed’s internationally acclaimed reputation is even getting more recognition, and he is increasingly becoming a well-established role model for wisely tackling issues and problem solving. The Arabs have never forgotten him, yet they need him today more than ever.
The great leaders who dreamt and succeeded in making their dreams a reality are always known to have a vision, strong will and determination, which is what the late UAE founder represents.