'He never tired of listening to us': those who knew Sheikh Khalifa reflect on his legacy

Death of the UAE's second President leaves a gap in the lives of many

Nasser Al Nowais, chairman of the Rotana Hotel Group, with the late President, Sheikh Khalifa. 'He cared about the well-being of people not only in the UAE, but all over the world,' says Mr Al Nowais. Photo: Nasser Al Nowais

Sheikh Khalifa in Dubai in 1971. Magnum Photos

An undated photo of Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

A young Sheikh Khalifa (seated). Wam

UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his son Sheikh Khalifa watch a military parade in 1978. Photo: Al Ittihad

Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

Sheikh Zayed, centre, and Sheikh Khalifa seated to his right. Wam

Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: Al Ittihad

Sheikh Zayed inspects plans for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with his sons Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Sultan. Photo: Al Ittihad

Sheikh Khalifa, left, greets Jordan's King Abdullah in Abu Dhabi on May 16, 2000. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Zayed. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa performs Umrah. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Wam

An image of Sheikh Khalifa is projected on to a building in Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National

President, Sheikh Mohamed, left, with Sheikh Khalifa in 2009. Philip Cheung / The National

Sheikh Khalifa watches the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 1, 2009, with Nursultan Nazarbayev, president of Kazakhstan, and Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman. Ryan Carter / The National

Sheikh Khalifa attends National Day celebrations at Zayed Sports Stadium on December 2, 2011. Philip Cheung / Crown Prince Court

The UAE football team meet with Sheikh Khalifa on Saturday, January 19, 2012, after their 2-1 victory over Iraq in the Gulf Cup final in Bahrain. Wam

Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip with Sheikh Khalifa at Windsor Castle, England, on April 30, 2013. Reuters

Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa at Al Bateen Palace, Abu Dhabi. Wam

In homes, on the streets and in places of worship across the UAE, there was quiet at the weekend as people observed the period of mourning.

The death of Sheikh Khalifa has left a gap in the lives of many.

And in the days after his passing, some of the people who knew him best have reflected on the man and how generous he was.

“I will forever miss his calmness,” said Emirati businessman Mohammed Al Fahim. “I've never known him once to lose his temper or get angry with anyone."

Mr Al Fahim grew up in Abu Dhabi with Sheikh Khalifa and experienced the challenging days before the discovery of oil in 1958. His book From Rags to Riches, is a classic account of how the emirate transformed during those years.

Emirati businessman and author Mohammed Al Fahim says Sheikh Khalifa 'was a father figure to a lot of people'. Antonie Robertson / The National

Mr Al Fahim paid tribute to Sheikh Khalifa as a man who helped his people throughout his life.

"I will miss his presence," said Mr Al Fahim. "He was a father figure to a lot of people — a father who never tired of listening to our complaints and demands. He was a kind ruler who took action more than he spoke."

Nasser Al Nowais, chairman of the Abu Dhabi-based Rotana Hotels Group, said Sheikh Khalifa was one of a kind.

“No one was like him,” Mr Al Nowais said. “In his humanity, his humility, his kindness and his care for others.”

As Mr Al Nowais’s direct manager at the Abu Dhabi Fund, Sheikh Khalifa was second to none in his kindness and humility, he said.

“He was approachable and cared about all his employees," said Mr Al Nowais. "Every project I presented to him, he supported and encouraged. He cared about the well-being of people not only in the UAE, but all over the world.”

Ali Al Shorafa, former director of the presidential court, with Sheikh Khalifa in the 1960s. Photo: Ali Al Shorafa

Many people speak of Sheikh Khalifa's commitment to people's happiness and his generosity.

Mohamed Al Ameri, 32, said his father knew Sheikh Khalifa and often told stories about him

“In 2006, Sheikh Khalifa visited the Bedouins [in the desert] and they gave him welcoming gifts of food and fruits,” Mr Al Ameri said.

“I remember Sheikh Khalifa asking the name of each individual who sent a dish," said Mr Al Ameri. "He later thanked them personally for their generosity and made sure they were supported. Losing him is like losing an elder brother or a father."

Ali Al Shorafa, former director of the presidential court of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, also remembered Sheikh Khalifa fondly.

Mr Al Shorafa said Sheikh Khalifa gave strength and support to his brother and now President, Sheikh Mohamed.

“The late president Sheikh Khalifa played a vital role in giving Sheikh Mohamed unconditional support. He trusted his abilities to strengthen the UAE’s relationship with the rest of the world,” Mr Al Shorafa said.

“With his support, Sheikh Mohamed has achieved regional and international respect through the UAE's humanitarian stance, with countries going through crises and disasters, as well as through supporting Arab initiatives.” he said.

“History will forever remember Sheikh Khalifa for his unconditional support to Sheikh Mohamed and goals to unite the Arab world and build bridges to preserve national and regional security.”

UAE flags at half staff — in pictures

The UAE flag flies at half-mast in Abu Dhabi, following the death of President Sheikh Khalifa. AFP

President Sheikh Khalifa died on May 13. He was 73. EPA

Forty days of official mourning have been announced. EPA

People pass by the UAE national flag, flying at half-staff, following the announcement of President Sheikh Khalifa's death. AP Photo

The UAE national flag flies at half-staff in Dubai. AP Photo

The UAE flag flies at half-staff in Abu Dhabi, following the death of the President, Sheikh Khalifa. Victor Besa / The National

The national flag flies at half-staff at Union House, Dubai – where the declaration establishing the UAE was made – after the death of the President, Sheikh Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National

Flags at half-staff outside the ADNOC offices at the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, as the UAE mourns the death of the President, Sheikh Khalifa. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The UAE flag flies at half-staff, with the Abu Dhabi skyline in the background, after the death of the President, Sheikh Khalifa. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

As the country mourns the death of President Sheikh Khalifa, the UAE flag flies at half-staff outside Union House in Dubai. This is where the country's flag was hoisted for the first time in 1971. Pawan Singh / The National

The UAE will enter 40 days of mourning with flags at half-staff, and government ministries and federal, local and private sector entities closing for three days. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Flags fly at half-staff at the entrance to the Presidential Palace of Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi after the death of President Sheikh Khalifa. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Flags fly at half-staff at Emirates Palace along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi after the death of President Sheikh Khalifa. Khushnum Bhandari / The National