Famous quotes by H.H(the late) Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
- Quotes on Women
- Quotes on Unity, Human Spirit & Innovation
- Quotes on Patriotism
- Quotes on Nation & Governance
- Quotes on Tolerance
- FAQS
His Highness (the late) Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates and the first President of the UAE since forming the Federation in 1971. He was also the former ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The UAE’s Founding Father left a legacy of noble values like charity, equality, generosity and tolerance. Here is a list of famous quotes from H.H. (the late) Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan that are a source of inspiration and are often referenced by other leaders in and around the UAE.
H.H (the late) Sheikh Zayed Quotes: The Role of Women
Through H.H. (the late) Sheikh Zayed’s sayings, it’s evident that the visionary leader had a deep respect for the role played by women in society. He saw their potential, encouraged them to take up leadership roles and stressed the importance of treating women with dignity. On that note, here are some H.H (the late) Sheikh Zayed quotes about women:
1.“The endeavours undertaken by women in the Emirates are important and honourable endeavours that are worthy of esteem.”
2. “I encourage women to work in positions that maintain respect and dignity as mothers and makers of generations.”
3.“The woman is half of the society; any country which pursues development should not leave her in poverty or illiteracy.”
4.“Islam affords women their rightful status and encourages them to work in all sectors, as long as they are afforded appropriate respect.”
5.“I hope that the women in my country will follow their sisters in those countries which have previously made the adjustment to the procession of progress and development.”
Quotes on Unity, Human Spirit and Innovation
A true believer in solidarity, brotherhood and unity, these inspirational H.H (the late) Sheikh Zayed quotes showcase the leader’s commitment to fostering an environment of oneness in the UAE. Here are some sayings of H.H (the late) Sheikh Zayed on innovation, unity and the human spirit.
6. “Our experiment in federation, in the first instance, arose from a desire to increase the ties that bind us, as well as from the conviction of everyone that they were a part of one family, and they must gather under one leadership.”
7. “Past years have emphasized on the importance of unity as a vital necessity for providing a better life to the people, for ensuring stability in the country and for realizing the hopes and aspirations of our people.”
8. “They used to say that agriculture has no future [in the UAE] but with Gold’s blessing and our determination, we have succeeded in transforming this desert into a green land.”
9. “Thirty years ago, we had no buildings, and when we saw buildings in other countries we used to envy them and wonder how we could convince our people to be satisfied with what they had.”
10. “History is a continuous chain of events. The present is only an extension of the past.”
11. “He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and future, for it is from the past that we learn.”
12. “We are like those who had climbed a mountain and reached the top. When we looked down we still wanted to go higher to realise our goals. Despite all the achievements, we still have an ambition for more. That is my way of looking at things.”
13. “Future generations will be living in a world that is very different from that to which we are accustomed. It is essential that we prepare ourselves and our children for that new world.”
14. “No matter how many buildings, foundations, schools and hospitals we raise, all these are material entities. The real spirit behind the progress is the human spirit, the able man with his intellect and capabilities.”
15. “We must not rely on oil alone as the main source of our national income. We have to diversify the sources of our revenue and construct economic projects that will ensure a free, stable and dignified life for the people.”
16. “Wealth is not in money. Wealth lies in men. This is where true power lies, the power we value. This is what has convinced us to direct all our resources to build the individual and to use the wealth which God has provided us in the service of the nation.”
H.H (the late) Sheikh Zayed’s Quotes on Patriotism
A patriotic leader, the Founding Father had a lot of love for his country and the citizens. Here are some famous H.H. (the late) Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan quotes on patriotism.
17. “A nation without a past is a nation without a present or a future. Thanks to God, our nation has a flourishing civilization, deep-rooted in this land for many centuries. These roots will always flourish and bloom in the glorious present of our nation in its anticipated future.”
18. “There is no glory without the glory of the country and its citizens. We have to be proud of our forefathers, who were able to face the harshness of life with a strong will and dedication to shape a better collective future.”
19. “Arab oil can never be dearer than Arab blood.”
20. “The success of the greater Arab nation in making itself known to the world and in supporting our solidarity does not depend on the Arab nation alone. Our solidarity also requires that the entire Islamic community works for the good of the Arab nation as the Arab nation works for the good of the Islamic community.”
On the nation and governance
H.H. (the late) Sheikh Zayed, an astute governor, often shared his insightful thoughts on the most optimum and productive governance means. Here are some famous H.H. (the late) Sheikh Zayed quotes regarding governance and its impact on the nation of the UAE.
21. “The Ruler should not have any barrier which separates him from his people.”
22. “The real asset of any advanced nation is its people, especially the educated ones, and the prosperity and success of the people are measured by the standard of their education.”
23. “Every individual has to perform his duty. Man is mortal, but his work is not. Therefore, work is greater than wealth.”
24. “The ruler, any ruler, is only there to serve his people and secure for them prosperity and progress. To achieve this, he should live among his people to feel their wishes and know their problems and this cannot be achieved if he isolates himself from them.”
25. “It is my duty as the leader of the young people of this country to encourage them to work and to exert themselves in order to raise their own standards and to be of service to the country. The individual who is healthy and of a sound mind and body but who does not work commits a crime against himself and society.”
26. “Our system of government is based on our religion and this is what our people want. Should they seek alternatives, we are ready to listen to them. We are all in the same boat, and they are both captain and crew.”
H.H (the late) Sheikh Zayed Quotes on Tolerance
In 2019, the UAE celebrated the ‘Year of Tolerance‘ to salute the Founding Father’s benevolent spirit. He was a true believer in inclusion and acceptance. With that in mind, here are some quotes by H.H. (the late) Sheikh Zayed that promote tolerance.
27. “It is our duty, and the duty of the whole of society, to forgive the sinner and help him return to the right path. Allah, the Almighty, is forgiving, so can we not forgive?”
28. “It is the scholars’ duty to explain to people the essence and great message of Islam, which calls for tolerance, wisdom and fairness, so that people reject terrorism and killing in the name of religion.”
29. “To treat every person, no matter what his creed or race, as a special soul, is a mark of Islam”
30. “Situations change from time to time. A friend may become an enemy and an enemy a friend. Life is inconsistent and ever changing. So are health and weather. We must, therefore, be prepared for the unexpected changes coming our way.”
FAQS
WHO IS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE UAE?
H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the current president of the UAE.
WHERE IS SHEIKH ZAYED BIN SULTAN AL NAHYAN PARK LOCATED?
Named after one of the founding fathers of the UAE, H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Park is based in Umm Al Quwain.
That’s all for our look at some famous quotes by His Highness (the late) Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan.
Learn more about the union of the Trucial States with our detailed facts on the history of Dubai. For a better idea of the country’s ruling families, check out our overview of the UAE royal family.
