Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan
Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Founding President United Arab Emirates
Jun 4, 2009
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan was born the fourth son of Sultan bin Zayed in about 1918. Sheikh Sultan ruled Abu Dhabi from 1922–1926, following his father, Zayed bin Khalifa (known as Zayed the Great) who ruled from 1855–1909. They are of the Al-Nahyan family of the Bani Yas tribes, with roots deep in the central hills of the Arabian peninsula. Their family has ruled the Bedouin territory and tribes of the Abu Dhabi region for three centuries.
To the Emirati, the success of the UAE rests at the feet of Sheikh Zayed. In popular memory, the dream realized in founding the country was Zayed’s and it was his leadership, vision, and charisma that guided the young country into its place in the world. He was known affectionately to them as Baba (Papa) Zayed.
Growing up in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi
Zayed grew up in a harsh desert wasteland. Summer temperatures soared to 130 F (55 C), with 90% humidity. Fresh water was scarce. There was little to eat beyond dates, imported rice, fish, coffee, camel milk and yogurt. Sheep, camels, and goats were commonly used for transportation, wool, and milk. For half his life, Zayed often lacked basic food and water, and had no access to plumbing, refrigeration, modern transportation, or air conditioning.
During the relatively pleasant winters, the tribes moved to camps on the coastal plains, near present day Abu Dhabi, with access to fresh fish and a modest sea trade. During summers, they retreated inland to the Buraimi oasis of Al Ain to escape the humidity. The summer “palace” was a walled complex of simple mud buildings with separate quarters for the many men and women of the family. The majlis (meeting place) for the men was under a tree at the compound's entrance.
Zayed first served publicly as a guide for oil company surveyors in the 1930s and in 1946 became Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain. He drew admiration for his traditional accomplishments in horse and camel riding, hunting, and falconry, and built a reputation for diplomacy and honesty. Al-Fahim’s 1995 account of Zayed’s turning down a $42-million bribe from the Saudis for the Buraimi oasis is not atypical.
Zayed becomes Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Zayed’s elder brother Shakhbuut ruled from 1928–1966. He “was a conservative leader with a cautious, fugal style,” according to Noor Ali Rashid (2001, p.9). By 1966, though, as the British were leaving the Gulf and vast oil reserves were coming in, more creative leadership was needed. Shakhbuut would not adapt and so in traditional Bedu fashion, the family met in council and replaced him with Zayed. Sheikh Shakhbuut accepted exile gracefully and lived peacefully in exile until his 1990 death.
Zayed became ruler of Abu Dhabi in August 1966. His first acts were to initiate infrastructure improvements in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain using money stockpiled by his brother. He helped build roads, desalinization plants, mosques, hospitals, and schools. Money was shared throughout the emirate to provide comfortable housing with plumbing and electricity, start-up grants for businesses, and civic improvements. Zayed also directed billions of dirhams to humanitarian aid, to build hospitals in less developed countries, and to aid war refugees and natural disaster victims.
Sharing the wealth was a radical departure from Shakhbuut’s policies and from those of neighboring Saudis. Indeed, in 1999, while Zayed ranked as third richest head of state in the world, according to Forbes, with assets of $20 billion, his generosity allowed him to garner virtually no resentment from his people. Emirati and non-Emirati alike knew that if they were in need, all they need do was follow tradition — approach the leader of the tribe and ask for help.
The UAE is Founded with Sheikh Zayed as President
In partnership with Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al-Maktoum of Dubai, Sheikh Zayed began to work toward unification of the small Persian Gulf emirates. While the negotiations were challenging, seven of the emirates united on 2 December 1971 to form the United Arab Emirates. Zayed was named president with Rashid as vice president and prime minister. Zayed led the country through six and a half 5-year terms as president, elected each time unanimously by the Supreme Council of Rulers of the UAE.
Zayed’s leadership was progressive, including unprecedented support for education and for women, and was internationally recognized. Awards highlighted his environmental vision, his statesmanship, and his devotion to his faith, including the 1995 International Food and Agricultural Organization Gold Medal, the 1997 World Wildlife Foundation’s Gold Panda, the 1997 GCC Gulf Business Award for Environmental Action, the 1998 Most Prominent International Personality of the Year award (France), the 1999 Islamic Personality of the Year award, and 2005 United Nations Environment Programme Champion of the Earth award.
Sheikh Zayed’s Legacy
On 2 November 2004, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan died from kidney disease and pancreatic cancer. Coverage of his death internationally was wide spread, but overshadowed by election returns in the U.S. and then by Yasser Arafat’s death. While the New York Times couldn’t resist highlighting the celebrity aspects of Zayed’s life, its 3 November obituary stands with a host of obituaries from around the world as testaments to his accomplishments and to the deep affection with which he was regarded. This spirit was perhaps captured best in the closing lines of a 3 November Gulf News editorial: “We say goodbye to our father Zayed. We remain steadfast in our love and loyalty for him. Zayed will stay etched in our hearts forever.”
Sources:
Al-Fahim, M. (1995). From Rags to Riches: A Story of Abu Dhabi. London: London Centre of Arab Studies.
Rashid, N. A. (2001). Sheikh Zayed Life and Times: Through the lens of Noor Ali Rashid. Dubai: Motivate Publishing.
Swan, S. Z. (2008). Defining the Heroic in a Context of Arab-Islamic Values: A Case Study of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan of the UAE. In S. Drucker & G. Gumpert (Eds.), Heroes in a Global World (pp. 243–282). Cresskill NJ: Hampton Press.
 |
 |
