Simply Abu Dhabi XXIX

2 0 1 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I S imply Abu Dhabi and German watchmaker ChronoSeven pay tribute to the memory of the late, great Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, in the declared Year of Zayed with a unique wristwatch. Elizabeth Doerr brings you the story of this one-of-a-kind timepiece’s inspiration and the attributes that make it so incredible. His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, reverently known as Baba Zayed to his people, is the founder of the United Arab Emirates. Born in 1918, he was the ruler of Abu Dhabi since 1966 and president of the United Arab Emirates upon its formation in 1971 until his death in 2004. Learning about the way of his people’s life as a young man, he went into the desert with Bedouin tribesmen, where he studied falconry. His vision and mandate upon becoming ruler was to develop his Emirate as quickly as possible; the export of oil starting in the 1960s allowed him to begin putting his plans for schools, housing, hospitals, and roads into practice. His clear philosophy endeared him to the rulers of the six other Emirates, who elected him as president of the UAE every five years until his passing. His rule was one of consensus, tolerance, and humanitarianism. Sheikh Zayed passed away in 2004, leaving a legacy of philanthropy and harmony as well as a clear path for Abu Dhabi. A Year of Zayed has been declared by the current president of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa, to mark the century since the birth of the country’s founding father. The Year of Zayed’s aim is to highlight the great man’s role in establishing the federation as well as his regional and international successes. “The Year of Zayed is a great national occasion when we will proudly share memories of the life of the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his gift to us of deeply rooted values, principles, and traditions that have become part of our Emirati identity,” Sheikh Khalifa said, calling for making 2018 a year of achievements, initiatives, events, and programs that highlight Zayed’s vision and leadership.