This man of greatness is the father of the United Arab Emirates. His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the President of the nation for more than three decades.
As one of the founders of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed played an essential role in developing the emirate of Abu Dhabi. He launched a vast infrastructure program of roads, hospitals, schools, and other significant establishments in the emirate.
After the British withdrew in 1968, the founding father took the historical step to establish a relationship with other emirates and H.H Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum (Ruler of Dubai). He called for a federation consisting of the seven emirates.
The seven emirates eventually became the United Arab Emirates on the 2nd of December 1971. Thus, the Rulers of the other emirates unanimously elected Sheikh Zayed as the President of the UAE.
In 2018, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared the year 2018 as the Year of Zayed to mark the 100th birthday of the founding father.
