Emiratis celebrate Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed's birthday

Emiratis have taken to Twitter to wish Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed happy birthday.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces turns 58 today.

Born on March 11, 1961 in Al Ain, Sheikh Mohamed is the third son of the UAE's late founding father Sheikh Zayed.

After finishing his schooling in the Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, graduating in 1979.

He later oversaw the advance of UAE forces into Kuwait against the Iraqi occupation in 1991, as part of the Peninsula Shield Force, the military arm of the GCC.

He is known for being down-to-earth and approachable, and stories about him regularly surface on social media.

On one ocassion, he spotted a young girl crying on the pavement outside an Abu Dhabi school.

After parking his car, he offered to give her a lift home. The girl said no as she had been told not to get into a vehicle with strangers, so he waited with her on the pavement until her father arrived.

The story went viral on social media after Sheikh Mohamed was pictured sitting with the girl by one of her teachers.

Many paid tribute to him on Twitter to wish him well.

"We wish you a long life, Abu Khalid"

"God preserve you for the nation. Happy Birthday"

"Every year we are stronger and happier with you. Happy Birthday Abu Khalid"

"Zayed's legacy lives on, through Abu Khalid's deeds"

Companies also shared their congratulations.