Dubai: The late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's determination, wisdom and other leadership qualities were highlighted in a lecture marking the 39th National Day.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the lecture by Abdul Gaffar Hussain titled "Shaikh Zayed Leadership Qualities" at Zayed University on Wednesday.
Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mub-arak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, also attended the lecture.
Hussain started his lecture by recalling an incident when the late Shaikh Zayed heard a poem by Shaikh Mohammad in which he said Shaikh Zayed's hands were above the clouds, and Shaikh Zayed's comment was Mohammad Bin Rashid loves me dearly.
Political stance
Shaikh Zayed has three leadership qualities, and these include his leadership of the Eastern Region — mainly Al Ain, his participation in setting up the Oman Coast Army, which later became the nucleus of the UAE army and his political stance in the critical years leading to the federation.
Hussain said these three aspects of Shaikh Zayed's personality made him world class.
In 1946, Shaikh Zayed was in charge of the eastern region of Abu Dhabi, which is Al Ain, the oasis area and the Bedouin settlements around it. Those who knew him describe him as having both Bedouin characteristics such as sharp intelligence, strength of character, and sharpness, while enjoying modern, civil aspects that allowed him to deal with urban residents.
Having both these characteristics was an exceptional advantage that only a few enjoyed, and which allowed Shaikh Zayed to become a great leader, Hussain said.
This leadership capability appeared when his area was subject to unsettling circumstances such as invasion from the west side and the rebellion in Oman against the central authority.
Zayed's wisdom and strong character were unveiled, because although he did not have money to distribute to people, and some parties tried to tempt him with money, according to historians such as John Kelly, authority of the Eastern Arabian Frontiers book, Shaikh Zayed was resilient along with the rest of the Al Nahyan family.
This prompted many to reconsider their stand and created a sense of loyalty and patriotism among the people, Hussain said.
Wise step
The second turning point was when Shaikh Zayed set the foundations for the first national rather than tribal army in the reconciled emirates. He also offered the sons of Bedouin tribes a chance to join the army, which proved to be a very wise step, since many of them were unproductive and conflicting powers divided by tribal fanaticism and selfishness.
By joining the army they turned into a unified force whose only loyalty is for its nation and leadership, Hussain explained.
