zAYAD
...Abu Dhabi in 1958, economic matters began to improve. The first commercial field entered production in 1962 from the. On August 9, 1966, Sheikh Shakhbut gave control of Abu Dhabi to his younger brother. Sheikh Zayed introduced a formal government structure, with departments developed to handle specific tasks. Priority was given to build basic housing facilities, schools, health services, and the construction of an airport, a seaport, roads, and a bridge to link Abu Dhabi to the mainland. Financial resources were spent for the planting of trees in Al Ain in order to transform Abu Dhabi into a green city. Funding was also spent for the creation of a zoo in Al Ain in 1967. When Britain announced in January 1968 that it would withdraw its military presence in the Gulf, Sheikh Zayed was the first statesman to call for a union. Zayed realized that for Abu Dhabi to prosper, it would need to co-operate with its tribal neighbors. So his first step was to meet with the then-ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. On the 2nd of December 1971, a federation of six Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, Umm al-Quwain) formed the United Arab Emirates [UAE]. Sheikh Zayed was elected president and Sheikh Rashid was elected vice-president. Shortly afterwards, Ras Al Khaimah decided to join the federation, which officially took place on the 11th of February of 1972. Sheikh Zayed has been re-elected as president at five-year intervals by the Supreme Council Members, who are ruling members of each of the seven Emirates. Sheikh Rashid was re-elected vice-president until he died in 1990, at which time his son, Sheikh Maktoum, took his father's place. Sheikh Zayed continues to utilize the oil revenues of Abu Dhabi to fund projects throughout the UAE. Sheikh Zayed also played a major role in the formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which officially started in Abu Dhabi in 1981. Sheikh Zayed imbibed the principles of Islam in his childhood and it remains the foundation of his beliefs and philosophy today. Indeed, the ability with which he and the people of the UAE have been able to absorb and adjust to the remarkable changes of the past few decades can be ascribed largely to the fact that Islam has provided an unchanging and immutable core of their lives. Today, it provides the inspiration for the UAE judicial system and its place as the ultimate source of legislation is enshrined in the country's constitution. Sheikh Zayed is also keen to promote a proper understanding of Islam amongst his people. In so doing, he stands uncompromisingly against the extremist tendencies now affecting the Muslim world. Extremism, as shown, for example, by the killing of foreigners, has no place in Islam, Sheikh Zayed believes. It is Islamic social justice which has asked every Muslim to respect the other. To treat every person, no matter what his creed or race, as a special soul is a mark of Islam. It is just that point, embodied in the humanitarian tenets of Islam, which makes us so proud of it." With such a clear view of the essential tolerance of Islam, Sheikh Zayed has spelt out very plainly his rejection of those who would follow an extremist path. Much of what has been achieved can be ascribed to Sheikh Zayed's own style of government, which has always been one of direct involvement, rather than of giving orders from afar. As the process of development got under way, he embarked upon a regular programme of visits to construction sites, often appearing unannounced and unaccompanied to see for himself how work was progressing. It would be superfluous to describe his encounter with the people as magnificent and great, or as an image displaying all tokens of love and devotion on the part of a people loyal to a great leader. These attributes were well known to all and were demonstrated in all dealings between Zayed and his people. They were indicative of a tie unaffected by the majesty of rule and power of authority. No barriers of authority or wealth existed between the Ruler and the ruled. Their relationship was, indeed, one of love, confidence, earnestness and trust. This was the true meaning underlying Zayed’s daily visits to cities, villages and hills all over the country. They rarely ceased, even in the worst climatic conditions. This had been his custom ever since his youth. He always aimed at mixing with the people in their everyday life and struggle, inspecting work sites and finding out for him the wishes and needs of his compatriots. That was why Zayed persisted in paying these visits at whatever cost and whatever time and effort was involved. He also believed that one of the State’s pillars lies in freedom, freedom of the citizen within the framework of those traditions and customs that preserved the structure of the State as protector of all individual freedoms organized by law. Under the shade of freedom, every citizen can live without fear and safeguard the great gains that the State has realized for him, defending the Union and stabilizing its foundation against any break for separation Actually, the simplest citizen can personally communicate his request or complaint to Zayed at any time and rest assured that he would be listened to and that he would receive fair treatment. It had always been the endeavour of Shaikh Zayed to extend a helping hand to all the people, without waiting for words of thanks and praise. While fully supporting the international condemnation of the policies of the Iraqi regime and the sanctions imposed on Iraq by the United Nations (UN) during and after the conflict, the UAE has, however, expressed its serious concern about the impact that the sanctions have had upon the country's people. In his interview with the New York Times in mid-1998, Sheikh Zayed noted: Now, Iraq is sick, tired, hungry and naked. How can you continue to impose sanctions on it for ever in a situation like this? It [Iraq] should not continue to receive punishment, and should no longer have sanctions imposed upon it. We believe that the time has come to say that enough is enough. Continuing to argue forcefully for a lifting of sanctions, the UAE has, at the same, time, provided an extensive amount of humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, ensuring, as far as possible, that the aid reaches those for whom it is intended. Another key focus of the UAE's foreign policy in an Arab context has been the provision of support to the Palestinian people in their efforts to regain their legitimate rights to self-determination and to the establishment of their own state. As early as 1968, before the formation of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed extended generous assistance to Palestinian organizations, and has done so throughout the last three decades, although he has always believed that it is for the Palestinians themselves to determine their own policies. Following the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza and on parts of the occupied West Bank, the UAE has provided substantial help for the building of a national infrastructure, including not only houses, roads, schools and hospitals, but also for the refurbishment of Muslim and Christian sites in the city of Jerusalem. While much of the aid has been bilateral, the UAE has also taken part in development programs funded by multilateral agencies and groupings and has long been a major contributor to the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA). Substantial amounts of aid have also been given to a number of other countries in the Arab world, such as Lebanon, ...