arabianbusiness.com 29
SHEIKH ZAYED FEATURE“Sheikh Zayed was
a father to us all.
Everybody called
him Baba Zayed”
Tagreed Abdulla, retired teacher
and school councilor
“He was keen to
meet young and
old, camel-man
and statesman,
journalist and
preacher, builder
and sportsperson”
Dr Frauke Heard-Bey, historian and
political scientist1969
Al Bateen Airport begins operating
international commercial fl ights
from Abu Dhabi Island.
1971
On December 2, the United
Arab Emirates is founded with
Sheikh Zayed elected as the fi rst
President. The Abu Dhabi National
Oil Company (ADNOC) is
also established.1974
Sheikh Zayed settles the
outstanding border dispute with
Saudi Arabia at the Treaty of
Jeddah. Saudi Arabia offi cially
recognises the UAE.1980
E11 road between Dubai and
Abu Dhabi is completed.2003
Etihad Airways is founded
as the UAE’s national carrier,
further connecting the capital to
the world.2002
The population of Abu Dhabi
exceeds half a million for the
fi rst time.1986
The Marib Dam in Yemen, the
reconstruction of which was
funded by Sheikh Zayed, opens.1982
Abu Dhabi International
Airport is established on
the mainland.q WE FEEL HIM
AROUND US, NOT
ONLY IN THE PHYSICAL
TRACES HE LEFT,
BUT ALSO IN OUR
MEMORIES AS
HUMAN BEINGS”
Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Minister
of State in the UAE Governmentq THE UAE’S ONGOING
GENEROSITY IS BASED
ON SHEIKH ZAYED’S
HUMANITARIAN VISION”
Farid Mohammad Ali Al Dhafri,
Dubai Police offi cer
q ONE OF SHEIKH
ZAYED’S VALUES
WAS INVESTING IN
PEOPLE’S WELFARE,
KNOWLEDGE AND
CAPABILITIES, WHICH
HAS CONTINUED TO
LIVE ON DUE TO THE
GREAT LEADERS OF
THE NATION – AND
IT’S WHAT MAKES THE
UAE A REMARKABLE
PLACE. THE YEAR OF
ZAYED IS A GREAT WAY
TO CELEBRATE THE
LATE PRESIDENT’S
LEGACY AND WILL
ENSURE HIS BELIEFS
AND VALUES
CONTINUE TO TOUCH
THE GENERATIONS
TO COME”
Taj El Khayat, Area Sales Director
Middle East & North Africa at Citrix