Vice President highlights how the UAE’s Founding Father created a lasting connection between the nation and its people.

Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, honoured the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan on the 60th anniversary of his accession as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. He described the UAE’s Founding Father as a visionary leader whose influence went beyond building a nation, inspiring generations and creating a deep and enduring connection between the people and their homeland.
“Life has taught me that Zayed was not only a leader and a statesman, but also a great thinker,” Sheikh Mohammed said in a post shared on X.
“There are great leaders who build nations, while there are visionaries and reformers who shape the people within them. Zayed achieved both — he built a nation, empowered its people, and established a profound bond between citizens and their homeland. His legacy will live on forever in the memory of the UAE and in the hearts and minds of its people,” he added.
Sheikh Mohammed’s remarks came as the UAE commemorates the 60th anniversary of Sheikh Zayed’s accession as Ruler of Abu Dhabi on August 6, 1966. The milestone is widely recognised as a turning point that marked the start of the country’s modern development journey and paved the way for the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. Sheikh Zayed’s vision of placing people at the centre of progress continues to guide the nation’s growth and strengthen its position on the global stage.


