ABU DHABI: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has said that the UAE leadership will stay the course laid down by the nation’s founding fathers and continue to deepen the Spirit of the Union, which was motivated by the aspirations of the people.
President Khalifa: Preparing for the future starts today, not tomorrow.https://t.co/dUn4cE4xuC#46nationalday #wamnews pic.twitter.com/TZQADLyrjS
— WAM News / English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) December 1, 2017
On the occasion of the UAE’s 46th National Day, celebrated on December 2, Shaikh Khalifa also spoke about the approaching Year of Zayed in 2018, which will mark 100 years since the birth of the founding father, and urged citizens to make the year one for “loyalty and belonging, as well as for the enhancement of creative and innovative practices that enable our state to become a pivotal actor regionally and globally.”
Shaikh Khalifa said: “On this glorious day, on which we celebrate the 46th anniversary of the establishment of our state, we pray to Allah Almighty to have mercy on the founding father, the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and on his brothers, the co-founders of the Union.
"While we give a standing ovation in their memory, we take them as inspiration and derive our ideals from their insightful lifetimes and biographies. We ask Allah Almighty to grant them mercy and forgiveness.”
Shaikh Khalifa also extended his gratitude to the Emirati people. “We offer our profound gratitude to you for your sincere loyalty and honest and diligent work.
"On your behalf, we also extend warm congratulations to my brothers: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, who are sharing their far-sighted vision in guiding a nation that is great with its people, proud of its values and principles, strong with its giving and its achievements.
“Our federal experiment, which will celebrate its golden jubilee in a few years, boasts of examples of courage, heroism and achievement. Armed with unflinching perseverance, our fathers laid down a solid foundation that delivered remarkable, honourable achievements and enabled the country to depart — once and for all — from the eras of division and misery.
“Preparing for the future — near or far — starts today, not tomorrow.
“On this remarkable day, we extend our profound gratitude to our armed forces and security agencies, confirming our relentless efforts to modernise and upgrade their capabilities and to take care of their personnel.
"We also appreciate and salute our soldiers, officers and commanders for their dedication and devotion in performing their national duties and for their efforts to develop our defence and security capabilities.
"Thanks and appreciation also go to the loyal people of UAE for their solidarity and deep consciousness as well as to the expatriate residents from sisterly and friendly countries.
“May Allah Almighty save you all, guide your steps to the right path and keep you as a valuable wealth for the nation.
"May you be well every year and may our nation enjoy the pride and glory it deserves.”
