There is a big difference between the president of a country and the leader of a nation. Some politicians who write biographies of leaders do not realise this fact. The president usually manages the national affairs of his country while the leader of a nation expands the sphere of his country’s influence beyond its boundaries and strengthens its reputation on the global stage. The leader takes his country to greater heights that exceed all geographical, material and moral boundaries, making it an ‘Umma’, nation, within a country
The late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was a true leader and he is himself a phenomenon that is bigger than geography. He was a man embodied in a nation. Looking at Shaikh Zayed’s face was like seeing the face of the Arab nation in terms of Arabs’ qualities, including authenticity, purity, courage, cleverness, will and sharp vision.
Shaikh Zayed is well known for his wisdom to all the Arabs who still remember his farsightedness and sound approaches to solving problems facing them during the dark times. Nowadays, Shaikh Zayed is sorely missed by the Arabs who are currently going through one of the most critical phases in their history. Today, Shaikh Zayed’s internationally acclaimed reputation is even getting more recognition, and he is increasingly becoming a well-established role model for wisely tackling issues and problem solving. The Arabs have never forgotten him, yet they need him today more than ever.
The Arabs today taste the bitterness of the absence of Shaikh Zayed as they are facing many radical political, social and economic challenges during a most turbulent time in their history.
They wish that he was still alive to help them and to light a candle that can guide them through the darkness to a safe and sure future and to ignite in them strength, determination, hope and passion for reviving their great nation.
As the plight of Arabs reaches its peak, they recall Shaikh Zayed’s days when he used to personally follow up on national affairs across the Arab region and evaluate the situation on the ground. His policy was briefly based on “No clash and no negligence on rights.”
The great leaders who dreamt and succeeded in making their dreams true were not made by universities nor by political clubs but by themselves, armed with a solid will, vision and determination to achieve their dreams.
In his book The Desert Falcon, published in 1975, Claud Morris quoted Colonel Sir J.E. Hugh Boustead, a British political agent in Abu Dhabi from 1961 until 1971, as saying: “I am always amazed by the crowds of Emiratis who surround Shaikh Zayed with respect and attention. Shaikh Zayed exemplifies strength as he shares his citizens from the Arab Bedouins digging wells and setting up constructions. He sits with them and shares all aspect of life and living with them as a very modest democratic man who does not know arrogance.” This is the biggest secret behind Shaikh Zayed’s symbolic personality and visionary leadership.
Shaikh Zayed’s modesty represented an aspect of his personality as a charismatic leader that distinguished him from his counterparts that time.
He carved out his name as a historical figure who captured the hearts of his people and all the Arabs, and deserved his title the ‘Great Son of Arabs’. Shaikh Zayed established his stature as a global leader because he was always close to his people and nation. As the UAE celebrated the 50th anniversary of Shaikh Zayed’s accession to Ruler of Abu Dhabi earlier this month, it should be noted that only two years separate us from the 100th anniversary of Shaikh Zayed’s birth. Everyone will celebrate the 100th anniversary in their own way to make it special, focusing on his life experience as a role model.
It is worth saying that what has been written on Shaikh Zayed is insufficient — on both a qualitative and quantitative level — but some good writers have produced excellent texts and managed to touch on Shaikh Zayed’s personality, his rich experiences and most importantly his way of thinking.
The next 100th anniversary is a dear occasion and will be more valuable if many sides and dimensions of Shaikh Zayed were revealed as he is one of the unique leaders in modern history not only in the Gulf and the Arab peninsula but also in the whole region and world. There are a lot of sides to Shaikh Zayed that need to be written about. May Allah Almighty rest his soul in eternal peace.
Mohammad Hassan Al Harbi is a renowned columnist and author whose writings cover various fields ranging from media studies to education.
