Sermons pay rich tribute to Zayed

Abu Dhabi: Friday sermons across the country paid rich tribute to the founding father of the UAE, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, on the seventh anniversary of his death. He passed away on November 2, 2004.

"Shaikh Zayed is still present in our hearts. Wherever we go, we see the hallmarks of his wisdom and far-sighted vision. We are living under the umbrella of his kindness, compassion and love, the social progress we are seeing in our beloved country is a fruition of his ingenious planning and the state of security, peace and stability we are enjoying now is also a product of his faithful work,'' one of the preachers told his congregation.

Modern state

"Vocabulary cannot describe the transformation in the era of the founder of the UAE. Shaikh Zayed worked wonders because he built a modern state with fully-serviced state-of-the-art health, educational and urban centres and transformed the desert into a lush green oasis," prayer leaders said.

They also noted that Shaikh Zayed's generosity went beyond the UAE's boundaries as he helped the poor, underprivileged and distressed in many corners of the world without consideration of race, colour or faith. He was remembered as a benefactor of the poor and destitute who fed the hungry, sponsored orphans and widows and offered clothes to the needy.

"The UAE will pursue the march of development, progress and prosperity under Shaikh Zayed's sagacious successor, President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa,'' one preacher said.