Mohamed receives falconers

Al AIN / WAM

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received on Tuesday a number of falconers participating in the 4th International Festival of Falconry which began in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the falconers and discussed with them their activities during the festival as well as the purpose of such events and the way in which they help to promote an exchange of experiences, customs and traditions in falconry.
He shared with them his memories of the first such festival, held in Abu Dhabi in 1976 under the patronage and guidance of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as well as Sheikh Zayed’s vision of preserving a common human heritage.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed also spoke of the continuing efforts by the UAE, initiated during Sheikh Zayed’s era, to preserve the art of falconry and its ancient heritage. These efforts, he noted, were still receiving the care and attention of the leadership.
The falconers, in response, expressed their thanks for the
organisation of the festival.
The event is being organised by the Emirates Falconers Club in partnership with the International Association of Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey and New York University-Abu Dhabi. More than 700 falconers and researchers from 90 countries are taking part, as well as a number of international organisations, including UNESCO.
The meeting, held at Al-Maqam Palace in Al-Ain, was also attended by HH Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative in Al Ain Region, HH Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, HH Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, as well as a number of other Sheikhs and senior
officials.