NATIONAL DAY 2015
The Founding Fathers of the UAE
S
ince it’s formation, the UAE has
witnessed tremendous growth
at a rapid pace. As the country
celebrates the 44th National
Day, the strong sense of pride felt by
Emiratis is visible on their faces and
reflected on the exterior décor of their
homes and places of business. Many
expatriates who call the UAE home
also celebrate, as the UAE has become
not only their home away from home,
but also a place that they have come to
love and claim as their own.
Abu Dhabi is the home of HH
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
(may God have mercy upon him),
the first president of the UAE. He
is affectionately referred to by the
moniker of ‘Father of the Nation’.
Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of
education reform in the UAE. Known
to be the wealthiest Emirate, Abu
Dhabi is also the largest of the UAE’s
seven member emirates.
Dubai is the home of one of the
founding fathers, HH Sheikh Rashid
bin Said Al Maktoum. Today, Dubai is
a global city, which continues to attract
Sheikh Zayed bin
Sultan Al Nahyan
vacationing tourists and industry
professionals worldwide. Like Abu
Dhabi, Dubai is at par when it comes
to implementing policies that help to
enhance the education system of the
UAE.
Sharjah is the home of one of the
founding fathers and former ruler, HH
Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al
Qasimi. Known for its vibrant history,
Sharjah is renown for its commitment
to art, culture, and preserving local
heritage. Sharjah is regarded as the
Cultural Capital of the Arab World.
HH Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al
Nuaimi is one of the Founding Fathers.
He served as the Ruler of Ajman from
1928 – 1981. Like the other emirates,
Ajman has transformed over the
years into a booming industrial place.
Ajman is an agriculturally rich emirate,
which is also known for its magnificent
beaches.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al
Mualla is one of the Founding Fathers
and former ruler of Um Al Quwain. The
emirate boasts a beautiful coastline
and archaeological sites that date back
to the dawn of Islam. It is also a tourism
hub for water sport enthusiasts.
HH Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al
Qasimi is also one of the Founding
Fathers and is a former ruler of Ras
Al Khaimah (RAK). RAK is a popular
tourist destination. The emirate has
an impressive archaeological and
cultural history, which has led to it
being dubbed ‘The Cradle of Ancient
Civilisation’.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamed
Al Sharqi is also one of the Founding
Fathers and is the former Ruler of
Fujairah. The emirate of Fujairah is
known as ‘The Jewel of the Middle
East’. Its beautiful beaches are a key
attraction for tourists, sports and
water-sports enthusiasts from all over
the world.
We would like to take the time to
acknowledge the respected founding
fathers, whose vision, wisdom,
aptitude and positive outlook for
the UAE have helped in making the
country what it is today.
Sheikh Rashid bin
Said Al Maktoum
Sheikh Khalid bin
Mohammed Al Qasimi
Sheikh Rashid bin
Humaid Al Nuaimi
Ruler of Abu Dhabi
Ruler of DUBAI
Ruler of Sharjah
Ruler of Ajman
1966-2004
1958-1990
Sheikh Ahmed bin
Rashid Al Mualla
Sheikh Saqr bin
Mohammed Al Qasimi
Sheikh Mohammed
bin Hamed Al Sharqi
Ruler of Um Al Quwain
Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah
Ruler of Fujairah
1929-1981
1948-2010
1965-1972
1928-1981
1942-1974
National Day Feature
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Nov - Dec 2015
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