Sharing memories of Sheikh Zayed on the anniversary of his death

Sheikh Zayed always seemed happiest and most relaxed when in the company of children, as seen here at this wedding in Al Ain in 1962. National Archives

As the nation marks the 10th anniversary of Sheikh Zayed’s death on the 19th of Ramadan in the Islamic year 1425, residents recount the ways the Father of the Nation touched their lives.

“Port Zayed was a desert 25 years ago. My uncle used to sell kitchen utensils on the outskirts of Al Mina in a tent. When Sheikh Zayed passed by, he saw the harsh situation of the shopkeepers in the scorching hot sun. His Highness immediately built a shop for my uncle and the other people. My uncle got sick and left for Pakistan. When he came back, the entire area had newly constructed shops. Where do you find such a man in this world?”

Akbar Khan Baloushi Pakistan, one of his sons is named after Sheikh Zayed

“May Allah have mercy on his sou,. I accompanied Sheikh Zayed for 50 years. Every time, his name is mentioned, I feel sorrow. My mother, Osha, used to make coffee for His Highness and she knew exactly the type of coffee he liked: not too dark. He also had a funny side where he would joke and laugh. He had immense love for his land and people. He lived a very simple life and amicably dealt with people from all walks of life. When anyone came to him for money, he would give it with his hand. He also ordered that the Sheikh Zayed Mosque should be open to every religious group without any discrimination. To him, everyone was human.”

Ramadan Abdullah Ali Al Baloushi, close companion of Zayed, Al Ain

“The era of Sheikh Zayed was the Golden Age. The way he spoke and proposed ideas, he knew exactly what he was doing. In the majlis, he often shared his concern about the Kuwait war. He was one of the first people to support Kuwait. His wife, Sheikha Fatima, also set up a campaign for women to support Kuwait. He was like a fatherly figure and he considered the citizens as his children.”

Mahfouda Al Junaibi, former head of activities and student welfare at Abu Dhabi Educational Zone

“One particular incident sticks in my mind and is perhaps a typical image of the generosity of his spirit and the purity of his heart. In 1969 when Queen Elizabeth II came on a visit to the UAE, Sheikh Zayed accompanied her on a tour of the university recently opened in Al Ain. On that day a young Palestinian refugee recently out from Gaza, penniless and unemployed, was walking around the campus trying to find someone he could ask to be admitted to the university so as to get a degree that could help him later in his life to find a job. When he saw Sheikh Zayed, he tried to approach him. The security guards rushed to stop him but Sheikh Zayed noticed him and asked his guards to bring the boy to him. He heard his request and immediately ordered the university staff to accept this student and to give him a monthly stipend to help him cover his living expenses. The student helped educate his other brothers in Gaza on his stipend, graduated from the University with honours, and immediately found a job in the Abu Dhabi Government where he is still active today. I know of hundreds of stories like this where a simple generous action by Sheikh Zayed meant the physical and moral survival for thousands of families across the globe who could have otherwise languished in poverty and despair.”

Zaki Nusseibeh, interpreter and adviser to the Late Sheikh Zayed, and President Khalifa, currently cultural advisor at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

“Sheikh Zayed had an outstanding personality. In 1998, he came back from an operation and all the schools were invited to perform on stage at Zayed Sports City. Meeting and greeting Baba Zayed was the most precious moment of my life. Also, I remember seeing him in Al Bahia district. I was told that he was inspecting to see how the construction was going. He entered house by house to make sure everything was going well. Where in the world you find such a leader?”

Maitha Al Khaileb, Zayed University student, Abu Dhabi

Interviews and research by Asmaa Saif Al Hameli and Rym Ghazal