Abdullah pays touching homage to Khalfan Al Roumi

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, paid tribute on Thursday to late Khalfan Mohammad Al Roumi, former minister of information and culture.

“I started my career in the (then) Ministry of Information and Culture in the nineties and like any other young man, I was enthusiastic and eager to do many things. As a youth, I thought I could change the world, but I was fortunate to have a wise and experienced line manager who opted not to crash my ambitions, but to contain and channel them towards success. At that time, I had no experience, but it was ‘Abu Faisal’ who mentored me, corrected my mistakes and encouraged me with his words of wisdom,” Shaikh Abdullah said.

The whole country was fortunate to have loyal men like him who devoted themselves to serving their country, Shaikh Abdullah said.

“Despite the challenges ahead, they believed that they are capable of building a great and modern country that would contribute in making the world a better place. Abu Faisal was one of the pillars of our federation. He was a sincere adviser and an energetic person who worked day and night to help develop the government and to build a capable society.”

Shaikh Abdullah said he learnt from Al Roumi how to be patient in times of trials and tribulations.

“When his son Faisal died, I learnt from him how a believer can exercise patience and how the man must continue to endeavour. He was a larger-than-life man.”

Shaikh Abdullah also praised Al Roumi’s optimism, wisdom and humility.

“If I was asked what are the most important things I learnt from him, I would say: humility and composure. He didn’t like it when people addressed him as ‘Your Excellency’. His calmness was a rock that absorbed the waves of troubles and crises,” he noted.

Shaikh Abdullah said Khalfan Al Roumi will always be remembered as a model on how a state official should be.

“He will always remain in our hearts as a father, a brother and a mentor. I will miss Abu Faisal but I will never forget him. The UAE will never forget this man who gave us lessons in dedication and sacrifice. May Allah the Almighty grant His mercy on him and reward him with paradise.”