One of Sheikh Zayed's famous sayings was "children are the real wealth of the country, not the petrol"

Father, teacher and leader

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan

We all know that a very few rulers are still remembered by their nations after they left this world, and one of the most great leaders is Sheikh Zayed (may God have mercy on him). He was a very loyal, faithful and a wise man, and because of that he became a beloved character not only in the UAE or in the Gulf, but also around the world.

Sheikh Zayed was born in Al Ain in the 3rd of November 1918, his mother was Sheikha Salma bint Butti, and over the time his eldest brother Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1928 after their uncle Saqr bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

(Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan)

 In 1966 he ruled Abu Dhabi after his brother Sheikh Shakhbut, and in 1971 he turned to be the first president of the UAE after the great union. During his ruling years, he was considered a relatively liberal ruler and a very kind and helpful father to all of us. Sheikh Zayed with his wisdom turned the UAE from a desert to a green paradise in a very short time, he loved palms and trees so much and he took care of agriculture, health care and educational facilities. 

On 2 November 2004, Sheikh Zayed had died at the age of 86 and he was buried in the courtyard of the new Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, then his eldest son Sheikh  Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan became the ruler and continued his father's dream. 

Union and the Renaissance dream

How that dream came true?

As soon as the prospect of being independent became apparent, Sheikh Zayed, who succeeded his brother as ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966, lost no time rallying rulers of the other emirates to form a strong federation and on December 2, 1971, the United Arab Emirates was born and changed magically after that.

The History of the UAE

Before the Union 

Earliest human occupation in the UAE is recorded as far back as 5500 BC or 7500 years ago, although new evidence suggests that the first human citizens could have arrived here much earlier during the Early Stone Age. Over the years, a seven cities started to grow separated and to have their own location, those cities were known as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwainو Ras Al Khaimah and  Fujairah. 

The British occupation on these cities was in 1986, but it doesn't last for too long and the result ended with the victory of the Emiratis.