His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces is an altruistic leader who has made so much contributions to the country that even His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, thanked him earlier this year for his works and support for the country.
In celebration of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s 57th birthday, here are eight facts about the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi that you probably do not know.
1. He was educated at schools in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi until the age of 18.
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2. The Crown Prince trained in armour, helicopter flying, tactical flying, and paratroops at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, which he joined in 1979.
3. The Crown Prince is the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces but he has also held positions such as officer in the Amiri Guard – the UAE’s elite security force – and pilot in the UAE Air Force.
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4. Education is a special area of interest for HH Mohamed bin Zayed. Since he took over the Chairmanship of the Abu Dhabi Education Council, he has taken many initiatives to forge partnerships with prestigious world-class educational institutions and think tanks.
5. The Crown Prince has inherited his hobbies of hunting and falconry from his father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE.
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6. The Crown Prince can be seen at a number of poetry recitals, with the Nebati style of poetry, which is native to the region, being his personal favorite.
7. The Crown Prince is keen on sports, such as cycling and has said that sports is more important than ever, especially in modern times and that people should not let regular life get in the way of staying active.
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8. His Twitter account @MohamedbinZayed has 1.89 million followers.
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What makes him an altruistic leader
Here are a few things that make HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed a powerful leader who has captured the hearts of his people.
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Builder of institutions
On the occasion of the UAE’s 46th National Day, in 2017, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said, “We will work together so that our country remains united, as it has always been; we will work together to keep it as a symbol, as a role model of the successful federal state not only in our region but across the globe. We will do this by developing its different institutions and enhancing the work of the government… This is the path that our country will take so that it remains young and prosperous, so that its people enjoy a life of peace and prosperity, so that we keep our country in the vanguard of great nations.”
The government institutions – from the police to the education system – are effective, accountable and inclusive at all levels, besides being committed to sustainable development. Citizens and residents can use feedback channels, such as social media, to contact the government. According to the Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016, the UAE ranks among the top nations in terms of citizens’ confidence in government and leadership.
People person:
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In June 2017, a video went viral, showing him greeting an elderly man at a Ramadan majlis. The man in the video is in a wheelchair and the Crown Prince extends his hand to greet him. He then kisses the man on his forehead, giving him a warm hug. The elderly man responds by kissing HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s forehead, before posing for the shutterbugs. What happened next is what amazed everybody. We see in the video that as the elderly man is wheeled out, the Crown Prince bends to adjust his feet on the wheelchair. This humble gesture encourages others also to help the man.
This incident came soon after HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attended a public mosque to offer prayers, and was not noticed for a long time. Finally, a worshipper recognized him and recorded a video, which was shared widely on Instagram.
A cohesive force
After the flurry of tweets thanking him, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed responded to the people of the UAE and everyone who had made the country their second home. The Crown Prince said, “On this occasion, I reaffirm my full confidence in the abilities of the UAE people. To all civil servants, workers, soldiers, teachers, students, fathers and mothers, I say thank you. Thanks to everyone who made the UAE their second home.”
The UAE is home to more than 200 nationalities and it needs the commitment of a true leader to ensure that disparate cultures can thrive together under one roof. Does it pass the test of unity in diversity? In a 2015 survey, some 37 per cent of UAE people said that at least half of their circle of friends were from different nationalities. The survey found that nine in 10 residents thought it was important for different nationalities to interact.
Future planning
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HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid’s thank-you letter said: “Millions of children around the world benefit from his goodness and giving that he provides quietly.” A case in point is the commitment of Dh18.4 million to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, by HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to support a major initiative aimed at protecting children’s lives in the developing world. He meets students, initiates scholarships and awards, and visits schools. In December 2017, his guests included young people taking part in the Journey of the Union Initiative, a 10-day journey through the seven emirates to gain knowledge and appreciation of the emirates through visits to leading industries and companies, landmarks, historical and cultural sites.
The Mohamed Bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations enables students to attend showcases of sustainable development concepts. In March 2017, he told a group students that was visiting the Majlis, “You are better than us and you have to be better than us – there is no option, you have to be better than your fathers and grandfathers. The UAE is going through a stage where the key component of our economy, which is oil, is coming to an end. This will happen in your lifetime, not mine, which is why we need to secure our homeland from now. We bet the UAE will be No. 1 with your education, and we will not settle for No 2. We have to ensure the new generation is equipped with knowledge and science, so they can represent our competitive advantage in front of the whole world. Our only choice is quality.”
