The UAE's prosperity and advancement is Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's greatest achievement. Shaikh Zayed (1918-2004) was one of the longest serving presidents in Arab history. With his passing away a year ago, a chapter in the fascinating history of the UAE ended.
Shaikh Zayed led the nation during an era that saw the UAE transform itself from an underdeveloped cluster of emirates to one of the most modern countries in the world. A visionary, he saw his dream of a unified nation materialise during his lifetime.
Throughout his presidency the country witnessed drastic changes, a magical metamorphosis from the pre-oil days to unparalleled development. He not only led the country into the 21st century but also put the UAE on the world map.
His astute statesmanship and negotiating skills won him popularity among Arab and international leaders. Generations of leaders can learn from his contributions to domestic and international political affairs.
Shaikh Zayed not only won international recognition for the UAE, but also made sure the country played a positive role in world affairs. One notable example is the UAE Armed Forces' participation in the Nato-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo in 1999. The UAE was the only non-Nato country to join the operation.
 |
Shaikh Zayed and Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, late Ruler of Dubai at the hoisting of the UAE flag on Independence Day, December 2, 1971 |
 |
The UAE today has grown into a nation that is able to play an active role in international affairs, and more so in the Arab world and Islamic countries because of his tireless efforts.
He played a pivotal role as Ruler of Abu Dhabi for nearly 50 years and as President of the UAE for more than three decades. When the British announced they were withdrawing from the Gulf in 1968, Shaikh Zayed called for the formation of a union of the different emirates, including Bahrain and Qatar.
Shaikh Zayed championed this concept because he was firm in the belief that the security of a nation could only be achieved through unity.
While some ridiculed this concept, others were apprehensive about the survival of any federation beyond its first year.
To the utter astonishment of the sceptics, the UAE federation went on to become a prime example of brotherhood, surviving the ravages of time and even flourishing.
Shaikh Zayed's philosophy of brotherhood extended acorss the Arab world. In his famous statement emphasising that the Gulf's oil wealth was not an end in itself but a part of the UAE's heritage and therefore a part of the Arab world's resources, he said: "Arab oil can never be dearer than Arab blood".
His ardent belief in Arab unity saw him play the mediator's role on a number of occasions. In 1994, when civil war broke out in Yemen, Shaikh Zayed repeatedly called for and negotiated a dialogue between the warring factions.
 |
Shaikh Zayed and others performing Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on January 31, 1981. |
| |
He was the first Arab leader to call for Egypt's return to Arab ranks after relations were severed following Egypt's signing of the Camp David Accord with Israel. This call came at the emergency Arab Summit Conference in Amman in 1987.
In 1992, Shaikh Zayed was once again one of the first Arab leaders to call for reconciliation with Arab countries that sided with Iraq during its invasion of Kuwait and brought about a complete Arab reconciliation with Iraq in 1995.
Before the US-led invasion of Iraq, Shaikh Zayed made a brave decision when he chose to be the only Arab leader to propose that Saddam Hussain and his family be offered safe passage and sanctuary in another country. He explained that his proposal was an effort to avert war.
Shaikh Zayed always believed in the principles of solidarity and brotherhood in which he saw the real hope for the Arab world: Arabs can only live together as one family regardless of their differences, disputes or disagreements, which he felt were temporary.
The active role of the UAE was not limited to the Arab and Muslim worlds. The country's presence on the international stage was enhanced, especially in the early 1990s.
Nothing is more telling than the participation of UAE troops in the UN's Restore Hope operation in Somalia in 1992, not to mention the UAE Armed Forces' commendable work in the Balkans.
This reflected Shaikh Zayed's belief in international solidarity and the need for the country to be represented in the international arena through assistance, cooperation and goodwill.
Shaikh Zayed's years in the desert of the UAE made him acutely aware of the environment. He realised the need to work with nature as he struggled to improve the resources available to the country.
Today's green UAE is a lasting testimony to both his willingness to put so much of the country's resources into driving the desert back, and his insistence that this should be done with understanding of the local environment so that the changes would last.
On the domestic level, Shaikh Zayed was a champion of women's rights. He supported women's participation in nation-building, in accordance with Islam. He once said: "Islam gives women their rightful status and encourages them to work in all sectors as long as they are accorded the appropriate respect."
As a result, he ensured that the UAE constitution granted women equal legal status, claim to titles, access to education and career opportunities.
His emphasis on education was unmatched. Shaikh Zayed saw education as "a lantern that lights one's way in a dark alley". He believed "youngsters are the real wealth of the nation" and for them to become a part of the development process, they had to be educated and trained.
It is not surprising then that education was one of the top priorities on his agenda. In 1972, a federal law made education free and compulsory up to the primary level. Free education was offered to everyone, including the children of Arab expatriates.
Under this new policy of eradicating illiteracy and providing f
