‘Sheikh Zayed’s accession was a new dawn in UAE history’

Abu Dhabi / WAM

HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, said that the August 6, 1966, the date of the late Sheikh Zayed’s accession as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, was the date of a new dawn in the history of the UAE.
In her remarks on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikha Fatima said that this day is a glorious day that marks the beginning of the march of achievements
witnessed by the country.
She added that on that day, the region witnessed one of the most significant events in its history which marked the establishment of a new-born country under the leadership of an ambitious man who had been keen on achieving a renaissance for the benefit of everyone, and that no one had predicted the overall meaning of the event, the impact of Sheikh Zayed’s accession as Ruler, or what the region could expect as a result.
She added that the elders in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, the Western Region and other emirates are witnesses to the legacy, the genius leadership and approach of Sheikh Zayed. They had witnessed the era before the union and could distinguish the difference between before and after his accession as ruler; how he had been able to change the lives of the population of Abu Dhabi to the best.
She said that after the union, the people realised how Sheikh Zayed and the Rulers of the Emirates had been able to change the lives of all Emiratis.
Sheikha Fatima also reiterated that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in a short time, had been able to position the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and then the UAE, on the map of the world, and since his accession as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, he established distinguished ties with neighbouring countries, the Arab nation and the whole world under the flag of the Union.
She also noted that thanks to Sheikh Zayed’s approach and method of leadership, women had played a major role in accomplishing progress for the nation by bringing up new generations and engaging in multiple fields of work, and now women are assuming important leadership positions as well as contributing to decision-making that helps develop both society and the state.
“The late Sheikh Zayed supported women, and I was beside him receiving his directives and working with him to build a cohesive family in UAE society that takes part in the country’s growth and progress, and prepares new generations to further develop the UAE.
“When we speak about the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, we speak about something that was born to continue forever and after half a century of his work, we are following the same legacy in accordance with the requirements of the new era and developments. We will continue following this same legacy, fully aware that we are following the road of prosperity and love,” Sheikha Fatima added.
HH Sheikha Fatima concluded by saying, “Sheikh Zayed has not really left us, as his words and legacy are still present with us and represent a torch that lights and guides our way.”