#sheikzayed

UAE fullfill its Founder's Dream

‎2018 marks the 100th birth anniversary of the modest man who transforms the desert into green - ‎Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the key driving force behind the formation of the United Arab ‎Emirates. And he quoted ‎-

‎"I had many dreams. I dreamt of our land keeping pace with the growth of the modern world."‎

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan wasn’t born with a silver spoon. He was raised in a tough and ‎challenging environment. His character as a man and as a leader was develop and nurtured in his ‎childhood years. He shown an early thirst for knowledge that took him to live in the desert with ‎Bedouin tribesman to learn all he could about the way of life of the people and the environment. ‎While he grew up the desert taught him tolerance, flexibility, self-reliance and determination. ‎

Even after he became the leader of the UAE, he continued to live a humble lifestyle; he dressed ‎simply and lived modestly. Sheikh Zayed had an incomparable character and personality that made him ‎remarkable to all. He had all the wealth in the world, and instead of keeping it for himself and family, ‎he share with his people and country. ‎ He is a man with a futuristic methodology that enables his country rise above boundaries. He helped to ‎nourish his people by motivating them to work and live and to be the best servant of the country.‎

‎"It is my duty as the leader of the young people of this country to encourage them to work and to exert ‎themselves in order to raise their own standards and to be of service to the country. The individual who ‎is healthy and of a sound mind and body but who does not work commits a crime against himself and ‎society." – The late Sheikh Zayed (The United Arab Emirates Yearbook 2005) page 21.‎

As the UAE fulfill its founder’s dream, it has expanded and flourished. The deserts turned into gardens ‎and the land that was once the home of sand now holds some of the world’s most prominent ‎skyscrapers. The country now holds over 200 different nationalities and has become a key tourist ‎attraction. Both nationals and expatriates find comfort in the safe streets and neighborhoods of the ‎country. These are only few example of how far the UAE has become.‎

Sheikh Zayed rooted his deep religious faith, values, determination and hard work to his people not ‎only in his presiding time, but remains evidently today and shall continue in the years to come.‎

It is so amazing understanding his great leadership and he is indeed a father full of fruitful wisdom; it embedded to me being an expats. I had a ‎dream, my hope and dreams collide into reality. UAE welcomed me with warm embrace and a decent ‎opportunity. In remembering his remarkable years, i am honored to draw his logo. After joining the Zayed Logo Competition held in DAFZA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVm4wxDY4BI ) , I am motivated to draw ‎once again.- chengart

#Leadership #UAE #FoundingFatherofUAE #YearOfZayed #chengart

SOURCES:

https://gulfnews.com/news/uae/general/shaikh-zayed-in-quotes-1.306268

Below is a selection of some of his most famous quotes:

"Arab oil can never be dearer than Arab blood."

"There is no glory without the glory of the country and its citizens. We have to be proud of our forefathers, who were able to face the harshness of life with a strong will and dedication to shape a better collective future ."

"A nation without a past is a nation without a present or a future. Thanks to God, our nation has a flourishing civilization, deep-rooted in this land for many centuries. These roots will always flourish and bloom in the glorious present of our nation and in its anticipated future."

"Past years have emphasised the importance of unity as a vital necessity for providing a better life to the people, for ensuring stability in the country and for realising the hopes and aspirations of our people."

"He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and future, for it is from the past that we learn."

"The success of the greater Arab nation in making itself known to the world and in supporting our solidarity does not depend on the Arab nation alone. Our solidarity also requires that the entire Islamic community works for the good of the Arab nation as the Arab nation works for the good of the Islamic community."

"They used to say that agriculture has no future [in the UAE], but with God's blessing and our determination, we have succeeded in transforming this desert into a green land."

"Our experiment in federation, in the first instance, arose from a desire to increase the ties that bind us, as well as from the conviction of everyone that they were part of one family, and that they must gather under one leadership."

"It is my duty as the leader of the young people of this country to encourage them to work and to exert themselves in order to raise their own standards and to be of service to the country. The individual who is healthy and of a sound mind and body but who does not work commits a crime against himself and society."

"We must not rely on oil alone as the main source of our national income. We have to diversify the sources of our revenue and construct economic projects that will ensure a free, stable and dignified life for the people."

"Islam affords women their rightful status, and encourages them to work in all sectors, as long as they are afforded appropriate respect."

"Islam desists violence practised by terrorists who kill their brethren and commit all despicable actions under the shelter of religion. Islam dissociates itself strictly from these people and their actions.""Our system of government is based on our religion, and is what our people want. Should they seek alternatives, wer are ready to listen to them. We are all in the same boat, and they are both captain and crew."

"Wealth is not money. Wealth lies in men. This is where true power lies, the power we value. This is what has convinced us to direct all our resources to building the individual, and to using the wealth which God has provided us in the service of the nation."

"Situations change from time to time. A friend may become an enemy and an enemy a friend. Life is inconsistent and ever changing. So are health and weather. We must therefore be prepared for the unexpected changes coming our way."

"Many countries go to war and then towards reconciliation. The history of mankind is full of stories of wars between people and states that have come together after fighting for long. Why can't Arabs be like them?"

"The real asset of any advanced nation is its people, especially the educated ones, and the prosperity and success of the people are measured by the standard of their education."

"Every individual has to perform his duty. Man is mortal, but his work is not. Therefore, work is greater than wealth."

"The Press has the duty as well as the right to criticise. We welcome constructive criticism."

"I had many dreams. I dreamt of our land keeping pace with the growth of the modern world."

"On land and in the sea, our fore-fathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so because they recognised the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live, and to preserve it for succeeding generations."

"Future generations will be living in a world that is very different from that to which we are accustomed. It is essential that we prepare ourselves and our children for that new world."

"We were like those who had climbed a mountain and reached the top. When we looked down we still wanted to go higher to realise our goals. Despite all the achievements [within the UAE Federation], we still have an ambition for more. That is my way of looking at things."

"The Ruler should not have any barrier which separates him from his people."

"No matter how many buildings, foundations, schools and hospitals we build, or how many bridges we raise, all these are material entities. The real spirit behind the progress is the human spirit, the able man with his intellect and capabilities."

"Thirty years ago we had no buildings, and when we saw buildings in other countries we used to envy them and wonder how we could convince our people to be satisfied with what they had."

"History is a continuous chain of events. The present is only an extension of the past."

"I am not imposing change on anyone. That is tyranny. All of us have our opinions, and these opinions can change. Sometimes we put all opinions together, and then extract from them a single point of view. This is our democracy."

  AUTHOR

By Michelle De Dios

Michelle was raised in a very humble environment and she was always thought to be humble to the ‎things that are happening into life, because it’s a gift from God; and we’ve got to share it by means of ‎helping someone. She believes that art has its own way in touching one soul, from a simple concept of ‎a dot. Anyone would choose to call her “cheng” than her common name. Hence, she marks her art ‎with the same initial, as a product of sincerity. ‎ Cheng writes and draws better by the stroke of a pen but she loves the freedom of working on a ‎simple pencil. For her it does not matter what or how much the medium you use in art, what matter is ‎the passion, when you find it anything is possible.‎