Zayed Humanitarian Day falls on Wednesday. It is marked each year on Ramadan 19, the date UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died in 2004.
The annual event celebrates Sheikh Zayed's humanitarian legacy. It is also an occasion to announce the launch of humanitarian and charitable programmes through official community events in the Emirates.
Since the death of Sheikh Zayed, the UAE has celebrated Zayed Humanitarian Day to commemorate his legacy and continue his journey of giving.
Sheikh Zayed was a symbol of giving and provided aid to needy people around the world. The Abu Dhabi Development Fund was established in 1971, while the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation was founded in 1992.
Under Sheikh Zayed, from 1971 to 2004, UAE aid was distributed to 117 countries, which amounted to about Dh90.5 billion, state news agency Wam reported. The Founding Father received awards and recognition from many countries for his humanitarian achievements.
What are the priorities on Zayed Humanitarian Day?
According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Zayed Humanitarian Day focuses on these areas:
- Create humanitarian initiatives, following in the footsteps of the Founding Father
- Organise charity events and activities sponsored by the UAE government and communal institutions
- Preserve and revive the humanitarian legacy of the Founding Father
- Emphasise the importance of humanitarian works in the development of human societies
- Strive to alleviate suffering
- Extend humanitarian work at local, regional, and international levels
- Uphold the position of the UAE in the field of humanitarian work
- Encourage creative contributions in the field of humanitarian work
- Inspire and incentivise individuals and government and non-government entities to take part in humanitarian projects and initiatives
- Maintain the UAE’s leading position among international donor countries, according to the Economic Co-operation and Development’s 2017 report
- Promote and enhance the role of the UAE’s multiple humanitarian organisations, such as Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Al Maktoum Foundation, Dubai Cares, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and many others
Last year, President Sheikh Mohamed announced the launch of a Dh20 billion ($5.44 billion) initiative to support humanitarian projects around the world. The Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Initiative seeks to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable communities.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday also shared news of his initiative’s humanitarian efforts.
Writing on X, he said he led a meeting of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation to review the results of the previous year. It showed that total expenditure amounted to Dh2.2 billion ($599 million) across the relief, health, education and community sectors.
The number of beneficiaries reached 149 million people in 118 countries, he added, noting that 170,000 volunteers supported the foundation.
Memories of the UAE Founding Father – in pictures
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Sheikha Latifa bint Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: "No words can express how lucky I feel to have known him." Courtesy Latifa bint Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan -
Abla Al Nowais said: "Sheikh Zayed was a believer in women’s rights and a man who encouraged women to pursue an education." Fatima Al Marzooqi/ The National -
Alia Al Mazrouri said: "I remember he kept holding my hand the whole time." Delores Johnson / The National -
Maha Misto said: "I cried, held his hand and kissed it over 100 times." Lee Hoagland / The National -
Chaltham Ameen said: "At every stage of my life, he continued to be the greatest teacher." Courtesy Chaltham Ameen -
An Emirati lady showing a picture of herself as a young girl, meeting Sheikh Zayed.
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