![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YALFD7ENSFVKZK2IXUUPQP5RWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f43476998abbe668a8386cb2cc6840cb066fbba7f06cf5468c73b32cd3c9639&width=400&height=225)
Mohamed and his father talk about the old days at their home in Al Ain.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z25PAXJX4Y2GKFSLZB3VOGACHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=040cea071576fc349660e528ffcf958c1a878e96a96b5efacc37900361be78ef&width=400&height=225)
Buti Al Mazrouei, 80, reminiscing about the olden days at his home in Al Ain. All photos by Khushnum Bhandari for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K3DTX6IX6NRQNVJDQ2V36W2SP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=7b2e7fc28f0524763488c73871a06f60f49ef769c68e74a3c06907402c6af55d&width=400&height=225)
Mr Al Mazrouei, 80, shows a photograph of himself during his younger days, at his home in Al Ain. His first job was on the pearl fleets in the days before unification.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N6G6BJ6QKHMOWIL5DXQHXOMZCI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f69748e3247bff46c9965be4999fadf0ccefa96f06874e1a67e7353013d5a2a1&width=400&height=225)
Father and son: Mohamed Buti Al Mazrouei, and Mr Al Mazrouei, at their home in Al Ain.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IENZLADF2HREFC5DZJJEH5HJX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=708e53beb1626c9653bc5b2f1fbddc80a1dc6730ca7d8eaf9d7bed14319027f4&width=400&height=225)
Mohamed Buti Al Mazrouei, 47, at his home in Al Ain.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GZNZHPKXB5L32DYLAFBJSNOQLI.jpg?smart=true&auth=013dee4dc991000695b10984dae64c99f537d2de60ea4fb2716626e3b221e555&width=400&height=225)
Mr Al Mazrouei says Sheikh Zayed brought hope and prosperity.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YALFD7ENSFVKZK2IXUUPQP5RWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f43476998abbe668a8386cb2cc6840cb066fbba7f06cf5468c73b32cd3c9639&width=400&height=225)
Mohamed and his father talk about the old days at their home in Al Ain.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z25PAXJX4Y2GKFSLZB3VOGACHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=040cea071576fc349660e528ffcf958c1a878e96a96b5efacc37900361be78ef&width=400&height=225)
Buti Al Mazrouei, 80, reminiscing about the olden days at his home in Al Ain. All photos by Khushnum Bhandari for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K3DTX6IX6NRQNVJDQ2V36W2SP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=7b2e7fc28f0524763488c73871a06f60f49ef769c68e74a3c06907402c6af55d&width=400&height=225)
Mr Al Mazrouei, 80, shows a photograph of himself during his younger days, at his home in Al Ain. His first job was on the pearl fleets in the days before unification.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N6G6BJ6QKHMOWIL5DXQHXOMZCI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f69748e3247bff46c9965be4999fadf0ccefa96f06874e1a67e7353013d5a2a1&width=400&height=225)
Father and son: Mohamed Buti Al Mazrouei, and Mr Al Mazrouei, at their home in Al Ain.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IENZLADF2HREFC5DZJJEH5HJX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=708e53beb1626c9653bc5b2f1fbddc80a1dc6730ca7d8eaf9d7bed14319027f4&width=400&height=225)
Mohamed Buti Al Mazrouei, 47, at his home in Al Ain.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GZNZHPKXB5L32DYLAFBJSNOQLI.jpg?smart=true&auth=013dee4dc991000695b10984dae64c99f537d2de60ea4fb2716626e3b221e555&width=400&height=225)
Mr Al Mazrouei says Sheikh Zayed brought hope and prosperity.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YALFD7ENSFVKZK2IXUUPQP5RWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6f43476998abbe668a8386cb2cc6840cb066fbba7f06cf5468c73b32cd3c9639&width=400&height=225)
Mohamed and his father talk about the old days at their home in Al Ain.
Memories of '71: 'Some would survive while others would die. I do not miss the hardship of pearl diving'
Buti Al Mazrouei, 80, recalls when families worked to survive and how Sheikh Zayed changed all that
Shireena Al Nowais
01 December, 2020
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