Abu Dhabi: Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the wife of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has hailed the decision of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to declare 2018 as the ‘Year of Zayed’.
In a statement on the occasion, Shaikha Fatima, who is the Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and the President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, described the decision as one of the greatest gestures by the country’s people and leadership to honour her late husband, “who led his country and his people towards progress and prosperity, paving the way for his successors to achieve their hopes and aspirations”.
Shaikha Fatima also expressed her appreciation for the directives issued by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to begin work on a comprehensive framework to activate the programmes to achieve the goals of the Year of Zayed.
Shaikha Fatima said that Shaikh Zayed had “created a miracle in the land of the UAE through his dedication and sincere efforts in building the country and establishing the values of happiness for his people”, an experience which, she said, sets an example to be followed and an achievement that requires much will and determination.
His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, also praised the directives of Shaikh Khalifa in declaring 2018 as Year of Zayed, which is to be a national occasion celebrating the life of Shaikh Zayed.
He stressed that the slogan, ‘The Year of Zayed,’ is a commitment for all Emiratis to preserve the culture of excellence, enhance their personal performance and improve their leadership skills in all areas of work.
Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, said Shaikh Khalifa’s declaration of 2018 as the Year of Zayed comes to embody the unique place Shaikh Zayed as the founding father of the UAE occupies in the hearts of the UAE people and the world at large.
In a statement on the occasion, Shaikh Hazza urged all organisations concerned to launch cultural, social and popular initiatives that reflect the values enshrined by Shaikh Zayed. Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, noted that naming 2018 as the Year of Zayed comes in recognition and appreciation of the fine achievements and exceptional initiatives introduced by Shaikh Zayed all of which which had gone a long way in shaping the UAE and establishing its status.
Shaikh Zayed was an exceptional personality by all accounts, Shaikh Hamdan said. Shaikh Zayed was a leader, father and a man of vision whose efforts resulted in the establishment of the UAE and consolidating its status in the region and the world, Shaikh Hamdan added.
Declaring 2018 as the Year of Zayed represents a national occasion to celebrate the founding father of the UAE and a golden chance to revive the sublime values and the concepts of giving and philanthropy established by him, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah said.
All events associated with this occasion must reflect the vision of Shaikh Zayed and his role in building the UAE since its creation in 1970s, Shaikh Mohammad added.
Dr Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), said Shaikh Khalifa’s declaration has very important connotations and dimensions nationally and represents a golden opportunity to commemorate his legacy and further establish his values.
Al Qubaisi said that although Shaikh Zayed is always present in our minds, dedicating a year to celebrate him is of exceptional importance. “It will be a chance not only to highlight his role in building and establishing the UAE but to reconsider, re-understand and reanalyse Shaikh Zayed’s legacy.”