Abu Dhabi: Ramadan 19 named as “Emirati humanitarian work day,” an annual event in memory of the late Shaikh Zayed
The 19th of Ramadan will now be a day to mark the Emirati humanitarian work, in memory of the founding father of the UAE Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Cabinet passed a decision to this effect yesterday.
Shaikh Zayed, who was born in 1918, passed away on November 2, 2004, which fell on Ramadan 19.
“Shaikh Zayed was a great nation-builder and remains a role model for his people and the entire world,” said Dr Abdul Rahim Al Shaheen, a member of the Federal National Council
He added Shaikh Zayed has left his mark on the country, and was the builder of the UAE’s development. We will forever be proud and grateful for his great achievements. His memory will live on forever in the heart of every citizen,” he said.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has identified UAE as the 14th most generous donor country in the world in 2009, with regard to the foreign aid provided as a proportion of gross national income (GNI).
The UAE also ranked first among countries that are not members of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC). By this measure, the UAE is ranked above some of the world’s most prominent donor countries, including the US, Australia, Canada and Japan, according to UAE Office for the Coordination of Foreign Aid.
