Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the UAE President, Chairman of the Emirates Heritage Club and Chairman of the Media Cultural Centre, on Monday opened the two-day first annual gathering on the course of UAE founder Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which is being organised by both the club and centre at the Abu Dhabi Hilton.
He said in his inaugural speech that "we gather today to commemorate the founder, leader and father the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who has been present spiritually among us despite his physical absence since 2004".
Shaikh Sultan said that Shaikh Zayed has left a rich legacy that could not be forgotten, adding that the gathering was held to pay tribute to the Father of the nation.
"Shaikh Zayed is still living in the memory of UAE people, Arab and Muslim Ummah. His name reverberates when his deeds are mentioned at international forums," he said.
Ahmad Khalifa Al Suwaidi thanked Shaikh Sultan for inviting him to attend the gathering held in tribute to the late Shaikh Zayed, who laid the foundation of the UAE Union on December 2, 1971, with the support of Their Highnesses the Rulers of the UAE Emirates, Their Highnesses the Crown Princes and the UAE people.
Minute's silence
Al Suwaidi, who called on the audience to stand up and observe a minute's silence in remembrance of the late Shaikh Saqr Al Qasimi, the former Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, reminded the audience that Shaikh Saqr Al Qasimi was the last of the seven Rulers who founded the Union in 1971. Al Suwaidi thanked President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for following in the footsteps and course of Shaikh Zayed.
He also thanked the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates, General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the UAE people, for sustaining the development and prosperity of the UAE.
He noted that the UAE since 1971 has been playing positive and vital roles at the regional, Arab and international levels through provision of aid and support of justice worldwide.
