Year of Zayed: UAE celebrates its founding father

The UAE is celebrating it's founding father, Sheikh Zayed’s timeless legacy.

The celebration comes as 2018 has been declared the Year of Zayed, the President, Sheikh Khalifa announced on Sunday.

The President called on the nation's people to uphold the noble values instilled in them by Sheikh Zayed - wisdom, respect, determination, loyalty, a sense of belonging to the nation, and a willingness to make sacrifices at whatever cost.

UAE leaders and Emiratis voiced their joy  on social media by sharing video footage, photos and wisdom of the fouding father.

“We look forward to making the Year of Zayed exceptional with new projects and initiatives inspired by his legacy” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Meanwhile, Minister of State, Noura Al Kaabi, stated “2018 has been declared Year of Zayed, a great initiative that will instill the values of our founding father and celebrate his achievements”.

While, Aisha Bishr, director general at Smart Dubai office highlighted the role of the late leader in establishing a state that upholds noble values including those of respect, loyalty and tolerance.

Hazza bin Banan confimred that  "the land that Zayed loved and adored will always be faithful to him and alive in his memory".

While, Abdulla bin Jawdar expressed his joy on Twitter by stating that "Sheikh Zayed was a grace of God, he is alive in our hearts even after death".

“It is the duty of the future generation to preserve Sheikh Zayed’s legacy” said Abdulla Al Junaibi, chairman of UAE Pro League.

Mr Al Junaibi highlighted Sheikh Zayed's unique system of morals and values, and how they shaped the conscience of the UAE people.

“It was his priority to develop the people of the UAE in all walks of life, to give them comfort security and prosperity” added Mr Aljunaibi.

Whereas Nahla bin Fahad, founder of Beyond Studios, portrayed the role of the founding father in establishing the UAE state.

Born in 1918 to the Bani Yas tribe in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the president of the UAE in 1971, a role he maintained until he passed away in 2004.

"God has created millions of leaders, but none like Sheikh Zayed" said Twitter users AAlfalah.

While, Roudha expressed joy by stating on Twitter “I feel proud and happy to know that 2018 will mark 100 years of birth of a legendary man of wisdom and leadership”.