SimplyAbuDhabi XLI

H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Born in Al Ain in 1948, to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Khalifa belonged to the Bani Yas tribe. He was greatly influenced by his father. Indeed, he received his school education in Al Ain at the city’s first school built by his father and spent most of his childhood in the oases of Al Ain and Al Buraimi in the company of Sheikh Zayed, who governed the Al Ain region at that time. Accompanying his father in the difficult task of improving the lives of the tribes of the area and establishing state authority, Sheikh Khalifa learned the essential values of responsibility, trust, justice and rights. He was also fortunate to have the benefit of the education of public majlis, which were regarded as the finest schools for teaching the skills of political leadership at that time. The public majlis of his father brought him close to the tribes, giving him the opportunity to learn their culture and understand their aspirations and acquire management and communication skills. During these visits, Sheikh Khalifa saw his father’s dedication to bringing prosperity and well-being to the tribes, to maintaining their security and unity, to caring for the environment and preserving the heritage of his people. He learned that a real leader is one who is wholly concerned with the welfare of his people. The other thing that complemented his leadership skills was the majlis of his grandfather from his mother’s side. His grandfather, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa, was the senior figure of the Al Nahyan family at that time and was known for his wisdom. Along with his mother’s attention, Sheikh Khalifa also enjoyed special care and attention from his grandmother Sheikha Salama, who was respected for her sophistication, wisdom and perception. Sheikh Khalifa went on to become a graduate of the UK’s prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Early distinctions When the late Sheikh Zayed moved to Abu Dhabi to become the ruler of the emirate in August 1966, he appointed Sheikh Khalifa – who was 18 at that time – as his representative in the Eastern Province and the President of its legal system. This delegation of authority was seen as a mark of the high confidence Sheikh Zayed had in his son. 92 | Simply Abu Dhabi