Lieutenant General Dr Mohammed bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of the Interior, honoured Royal Photographer Noor Ali Rashid on Tuesday in recognition of his dedicated effort in recording UAE history through his lens.

Rashid, 73, was presented with a memento shield and a merit certificate in a ceremony, which was attended by Major General Saif Abdullah Al Shaafar, Assistant Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry for Security Affairs, Major General Hilal Saeed Al Dhahiri, Interior Ministry's Inspector General, and a number of senior officers.

President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had designated Rashid as the Royal Photographer immediately after the UAE Federation was established in 1971.

Dr Badi said that Rashid had opened a new chapter in the UAE's cultural relations with other countries.

"Rashid recorded a part of the UAE history through photographs of almost every occasion in the life of its leaders and people," he said.

"UAE leaders and nationals remember with affection the great service Noor Ali Rashid offered to the country and its people."

Rashid expressed gratitude to the UAE leaders for the recognition, love and affection they have always offered.

"I owe it to President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates and the UAE people for whatever I am today," he said.

Pledging to continue his effort, he added: "I am very proud of being the Royal Photographer. I learned so many lessons from His Highness Sheikh Zayed's wisdom and international experience."