Emiratis praise UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi as their ‘guiding light’ as the spacewalker comes home

Dubai: The historic homecoming of the ‘Sultan of Space’, UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, has inspired Emiratis to excel in their fields to serve the nation.

Al Neyadi is the first Arab to perform a spacewalk and is returning home after the longest Arab space mission spanning six months onboard the International Space Station.

UAE citizens said they closely followed Al Neyadi’s mission, which has filled them with pride and inspiration.

Eager to learn

He added that Al Neyadi’s journey has gone a full circle, connecting the youth with their heritage and their past, as Arabs were pioneers in the science of space. “Most constellations are currently named after their Arabic names. Al Neyadi has added a feather to our cap.”

Giant leap forward

Taybah Awadh Alameri, 25, who works at Inception, said: “As I reflect upon Sultan Al Neyadi’s historic achievement in the UAE’s space programme, I am overcome with an immense sense of pride and inspiration. His remarkable journey into space serves as a wellspring of motivation not only for myself but for countless individuals from our nation. His mission captured the attention and hearts of the UAE and the broader Arab world, marking a significant milestone in our country’s space exploration journey. It has been a moment of collective pride, reinforcing our position on the global stage.”

She added: “Sultan Al Neyadi’s six-month odyssey of adventure and research in space perfectly aligns with the UAE’s larger objectives of advancing scientific knowledge, diversifying our economy, and fostering a knowledge-based society. It’s a testament to our nation’s commitment to pushing boundaries and reaching for the stars.”

Confidence boost

“I was captivated by his space walk, and his life aboard the ISS. Now I really want to become an astronaut and do a space walk just like him. It feels great that a fellow Emirati has been brave and travelled so far into space. It makes me confident of myself to achieve huge success in the field of space,” she said.