HE Dr Mohammed Matar al Kaabi, Awqaf’s Chairman, stressed that modern history has engraved the character of the founding leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the memory of generations and that Zayed and the nation are inseparably associated. Thus, whenever the name of Zayed is mentioned, the country would be definitely mentioned. This is because Sheikh Zayed, may Allah rest his in peace, is alive in the mind and heart of each Emirati as a symbol of the perpetual love in the UAE.

Dr Al Kaabi’s statement came in a comment on the announcement by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President may Allah protect him, of 2018 as the “Year of Zayed”.

Dr al Kaabi pointed out that Zayed represents the spirit of the Union that runs through the veins of the nation and in the hearts and minds of the Emirati people and the generations to come. No wonder for, indeed, he established a glorious edifice in the UAE, one that is promising of modernity and glory as witnessed across the UAE, a country striving to entrench civilisation and glory amid the world’s contemporary competitiveness.

Whenever the flag of the Union flutters high in the sky of the homeland or any achievement is made across the country, the image of Zayed is always vividly portrayed as the epitome of pioneering, leadership, wisdom and future shaping, al Kaabi underscored.

One of the greatest merits of the late Sheikh Zayed, the Benevolent, is his deep faith in Allah the Almighty and his love for the Prophet Muhammad pbuh for setting a role model of great manners and noble values. For this reason, late Sheikh Zayed is known for his strong passion for reading the traditions of the Prophet pbuh and history from which he used to draw the approaches of wisdom and moderation, not only in the religious matters, but also in his reasoning, vision and solutions for his then era issues, locally, regionally and internationally. Thus, with the wisdom and moderation he possessed late Sheikh Zayed used to offer advice scholars, thinkers and intellectuals. Wisdom and moderation were also his means for protecting Emirati young people and society from falling into the mire of extremism and culture of violence, Dr al Kaabi explained.

Furthermore, thanks to wisdom and moderation, the UAE has become the most preferred destination for the Arab youth. The local Emirati community has also set a pattern for others to follow in tolerance, cultural co-existence and happiness under which everyone cherishes safety, prosperity and stability, Dr al Kaabi concluded.