It was as a young man in the deserts of Abu Dhabi that Sheikh Zayed refined the skills that would serve him and his country so well on the international stage.
“He had what is known as Al Ferasa, a skill where the person can read the other person’s facial and body language and understand and know the truth about their character and intention,” explains Zaki Nusseibeh, cultural adviser at the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs.
“It is a survival skill in the desert, as one meets wandering strangers all the time. And so when Sheikh Zayed used to meet anyone, and even if he didn’t understand their language, he knew. He just knew what their real intention and character was.”
Combined with his other leadership talents and his natural presence, the UAE’s first President paved new diplomatic paths and built international relations for a small country that many in the international community doubted would survive long beyond its formation.
As Sheikh Zayed’s interpreter in 1968 as well as head of his press office, Nusseibeh witnessed first hand what went into building the UAE and its reputation on the international arena.
“Many of the diplomatic observers and international media back then were expecting the UAE to fall apart following the withdrawal of British power. Some British diplomats predicted failure. They wrote how it won’t work, but the UAE, with Sheikh Zayed as its President, proved them all wrong. Within 10 years, the UAE emerged as a strong and active player in the region and on the international arena,” he says.
And at the heart of this lasting success? “Friendships with everyone, everywhere, was the policy Sheikh Zayed followed all throughout his life.”
Well before the UAE was founded, Sheikh Zayed was travelling abroad and forging friendships with statesmen and officials.
“Abu Dhabi was known abroad as an aid-giver before [the UAE] became a country,” Nusseibeh says. “Sheikh Zayed had a way about him where he always looked for common ground wherever he went, and found ways to build a relationship where both sides were happy and helping each other in one way or another. He believed that for any country to prosper, its neighbour must be prosperous.”
“He also believed that each continent is dependent on the other, and so he put great effort on this front, mediating whenever there was conflict and instability.”
In the 1970s, barely a week went by without a visit from a foreign head of state or their representative. From Africa to Latin America to Asia, officials came to meet Sheikh Zayed and, in turn, he travelled to their countries.
“Because of the great efforts by His Highness, the UAE by the 1980s had established itself as a powerful country with a say in important regional and international issues,” Nusseibeh says.
On one of his first important trips, in 1969, Sheikh Zayed visited Arab countries including Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon before heading to the UK and Spain.
“He visited many sites in each country, from military bases to schools to museums to government buildings, to learn from them for his own country, and to understand how different nations work and what they offered their nationals,” says Nusseibeh.
While in Spain, he remembers learning something profound about Sheikh Zayed that would stay with him forever.
“We were walking the alleyways of Alhambra Palace in Granada, and it was filled with tourists. I started to push them away to make way for Sheikh Zayed and he stopped me. ‘You must not bother anyone – we are all equal as visiting tourists here, and I do not need any special path made for me among them’, he said to me.
“I understood him better that day. It was this confidence – this peaceful air about him and his modesty that helped make this country what it is.”
When Sheikh Zayed met the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in 1974, on a state trip to Iran, the Shah offered Sheikh Zayed his army as “protection” from attacks.
“The Shah said that since the UAE is small and doesn’t have a proper army, they could draw up an agreement between the two countries.
“You must remember Iran was occupying three of the UAE’s islands at the time. Sheikh Zayed with great poise simply thanked the Shah and said we will not need this because the UAE will have a powerful army soon that will be a major contributor to regional stability and peace that is vital to all our nations.
“And of course he would depend on his friends and allies to work together to achieve this,” says Nusseibeh.
Sheikh Zayed also knew how to stand firm when he believed the situation called for it. In 1973, he became “the champion of the Arabs” by reminding the world of their economic power.
“It was a turbulent time; it was following the 1967 Six-Day Arab-Israeli War, the October War of 1973 and pan-Arab sentiment was high.
“The Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries meeting in emergency session in Kuwait took a resolution to reduce their oil production by a blanket 5 per cent a month, impacting all oil importers until the international community applied pressure to bring an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
“Sheikh Zayed refused this logic, saying that oil exports should not be reduced indiscriminately to all nations, but that countries that opposed the UN Security resolutions calling for peace should be targeted with a total oil ban, while those encouraging the peace process should continue to receive their normal oil supplies.
“Saudi Arabia followed and did the same. This shocked the superpowers and oil supplies only returned when Egypt, embarking on a peace process, asked the Gulf oil producers to lift the boycott,” says Nusseibeh.
It was at this time Sheikh Zayed spoke these now immortal words: “Arab blood is far more valuable than Arab oil.”
Sheikh Zayed “was a vocal advocate for Palestine and any Arab nation that was in turmoil”, says Nusseibeh.
The President also had his own ways of showing warmth and hospitality.
Wherever he travelled, Sheikh Zayed would take Emirati dates, while developing his own special “Omani halwa”, using honey instead of sugar.
“Whoever came, no matter how high up, he would tell them to have three full spoons. He would tell them it is very healthy. No one refused; they all had three spoons of Sheikh Zayed’s special dish,” says Nusseibeh.
Another hallmark of his leadership was to ask in his majlis a question he already had an answer to, to note the responses. “His mind was always working, even if it appeared like he was just having a sip of coffee,” says Nusseibeh.
In a long and active life of travelling and meeting with world leaders, Nusseibeh remembers two particular men that left a great impression on Sheikh Zayed.
Nelson Mandela “for his deep humanity and wisdom” and Senegal’s Léopold Sédar Senghor, for “his intellect and literature”.
At the same time, it was Sheikh Zayed’s mother, Sheikha Salamah, whom he always credited for instilling in him the “clear sightedness, the ambition and the vision” to see beyond.
“Sheikh Zayed never forgot where he started and where he came from. He learnt from the challenges and turned them into successes,” says Nusseibeh.
Company Profile
Company name: Cargoz
Date started: January 2022
Founders: Premlal Pullisserry and Lijo Antony
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 30
Investment stage: Seed
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Revibe
Started: 2022
Founders: Hamza Iraqui and Abdessamad Ben Zakour
Based: UAE
Industry: Refurbished electronics
Funds raised so far: $10m
Investors: Flat6Labs, Resonance and various others
RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
Pakistan v New Zealand Test series
Pakistan: Sarfraz (c), Hafeez, Imam, Azhar, Sohail, Shafiq, Azam, Saad, Yasir, Asif, Abbas, Hassan, Afridi, Ashraf, Hamza
New Zealand: Williamson (c), Blundell, Boult, De Grandhomme, Henry, Latham, Nicholls, Ajaz, Raval, Sodhi, Somerville, Southee, Taylor, Wagner
Umpires: Bruce Oxerford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS); Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
Tickets and schedule: Entry is free for all spectators. Gates open at 9am. Play commences at 10am
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Haltia.ai
Started: 2023
Co-founders: Arto Bendiken and Talal Thabet
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: AI
Number of employees: 41
Funding: About $1.7 million
Investors: Self, family and friends
360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
How to avoid getting scammed
- Never click on links provided via app or SMS, even if they seem to come from authorised senders at first glance
- Always double-check the authenticity of websites
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for all your working and personal services
- Only use official links published by the respective entity
- Double-check the web addresses to reduce exposure to fake sites created with domain names containing spelling errors
Zayed Sustainability Prize
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 2.5/5
ALRAWABI SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
Creator: Tima Shomali
Starring: Tara Abboud, Kira Yaghnam, Tara Atalla
Rating: 4/5
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
RESULTS
Time; race; prize; distance
4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)
4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed
5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Match info
Athletic Bilbao 0
Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)
Kill
Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Starring: Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Chhaya, Raghav Juyal
Rating: 4.5/5
RESULTS
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Rich And Famous, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Rio Angie, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB) Dh 92,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
MATCH INFO
FA Cup final
Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
UAE athletes heading to Paris 2024
Equestrian
Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, Abdullah Al Marri, Omar Al Marzooqi, Salem Al Suwaidi, and Ali Al Karbi (four to be selected).
Judo
Men: Narmandakh Bayanmunkh (66kg), Nugzari Tatalashvili (81kg), Aram Grigorian (90kg), Dzhafar Kostoev (100kg), Magomedomar Magomedomarov (+100kg); women's Khorloodoi Bishrelt (52kg).
Cycling
Safia Al Sayegh (women's road race).
Swimming
Men: Yousef Rashid Al Matroushi (100m freestyle); women: Maha Abdullah Al Shehi (200m freestyle).
Athletics
Maryam Mohammed Al Farsi (women's 100 metres).
Results
Stage 7:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29
2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time
3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious
4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
ANDROID VERSION NAMES, IN ORDER
Android Alpha
Android Beta
Android Cupcake
Android Donut
Android Eclair
Android Froyo
Android Gingerbread
Android Honeycomb
Android Ice Cream Sandwich
Android Jelly Bean
Android KitKat
Android Lollipop
Android Marshmallow
Android Nougat
Android Oreo
Android Pie
Android 10 (Quince Tart*)
Android 11 (Red Velvet Cake*)
Android 12 (Snow Cone*)
Android 13 (Tiramisu*)
Android 14 (Upside Down Cake*)
Android 15 (Vanilla Ice Cream*)
* internal codenames