In celebration of Sheikh Zayed's timeless legacy

2018 will mark 100 years since the birth of the man who united the emirates and took his nation to new heights of success and devleopment

To mark 100 years since the birth of the country’s Founding Father, 2018 has been declared the “Year of Zayed” by the President, Sheikh Khalifa. Courtesy Al Ittihad

Sheikh Zayed reading the Quran during Ramadan. The announcement takes place on the anniversary of Sheikh Zayed's Accession Day - the day he assumed leadership in Abu Dhabi on August 6, 1966, marking the start of a new epoch in the history of the UAE. Courtesy of Al Ittihad

The Year of Zayed will highlight his role in establishing the Federation, and his local, regional and international achievements. Courtesy Al Ittihad

Sheikh Zayed attends a FNC meeting. The Year of Zayed will highlight his local, regional and international achievements.

Sheikh Khalifa said that establishing 2018 as the Year of Zayed reflected the unique standing that the late leader held in the hearts of every Emirati.

Sheikh Zayed visiting Marib Dam. Sheikh Khalifa called on the nation's people to uphold the noble values instilled in them by Sheikh Zayed - wisdom, respect, determination, loyalty, a sense of belonging to the nation, and a willingness to make sacrifices at whatever cost.

"The best way to celebrate the Year of Zayed would be by spreading Zayed's glorious human and cultural legacy via all the people of the UAE," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

“We celebrate the centennial anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest and most noble men who dedicated his life for the present and future of the nation,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said.

Sheikh Zayed, seen here attending an early book fair in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Director of the National Media Council, said that the Year of Zayed aims to preserve the legacy of the Founding Father.

“The Year of Zayed is an opportunity to learn from the journey of wisdom and giving of the founder of the nation, to teach our sons and daughters about his journey and enable them to benefit and continue reaping the rewards,” he said.

“The values that the late Sheikh Zayed was keen to promote are derived from the tolerance of the Islamic religion, which encourages people to assist humanity."

The Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan.

Over the course of nearly five decades, the UAE has undergone unprecedented change, transforming into one of the most thriving modern states in the world. Today, the Emirates are renowned for being a model for all-round development and progress. At the heart of all these achievements lies the vision of one man – Sheikh Zayed.

This realisation is not lost on anyone who has lived in this country at some point. Little wonder, then, that the legacy of Sheikh Zayed is celebrated all the time. The year 2018 will mark 100 years since the birth of the founding father of the UAE, who died in 2004. To commemorate this historic occasion, President Sheikh Khalifa has designated it as the Year of Zayed, and there cannot be any better way to mark his legacy than this.

The year will feature a series of events and initiatives in the UAE and beyond to commemorate the late Sheikh Zayed, celebrate his impact and legacy and promote the values that he exhibited throughout his life in creative ways.

The year will also remind us how he was always willing to extend a helping hand to victims of humanitarian crises in the region and beyond, as well as support many educational, health, family and infrastructure projects in countries across the world. He stressed the importance of generosity, inclusivity and equality as core principles for the country and its people and made many painstaking efforts to establish a culture of philanthropy.

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Read more:

2018 declared 'Year of Zayed'

Remembering Zayed: From father of the UAE to world statesman

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His vision and generosity is felt throughout the Arab world and beyond, with contributions and initiatives that reflect his unerring skill as an ideal leader. The Year of Zayed follows the Year of Reading and the Year of Giving, all of which highlighted the exclusive legacies of the leader.

Sheikh Khalifa rightly said that Sheikh Zayed laid down solid foundations for a strong and united nation that succeeds in balancing the requirements for modernity, while preserving cultural and social norms.

He pointed out said that his real wealth was not in material gain, but in his investment in people – in the men and women who build the future of their nation.

In short, all the virtues we boast today – charity, literacy, tolerance, equality, education, economy and infrastructure – are all legacies of Sheikh Zayed.

If the UAE has managed to rank among the top countries in the UN’s human development reports, excelling in regional and international indicators measuring people’s happiness and contentment indicators and score high in the Social Progress Index, it’s all because of the vision of one individual. As the country continues its journey forward, it is the vision of Sheikh Zayed that provides the guiding light.