SimplyAbuDhabi XLV

Leveraging his intimate knowledge of the desert environment, Sheikh Zayed devised innovative solutions to address the perennial challenges of water scarcity. Through the reorganization of water ownership rights and the restoration of the falaj irrigation system, he was able to spur agricultural growth and revive Al Ain as a thriving commercial hub. Under his stewardship, the city of Al Ain blossomed, with the Sheikh overseeing the construction of the first hospital, paved roads, and a comprehensive forestation program that transformed the once-barren landscape into one of the greenest in the region. Recognizing the importance of preserving the emirate’s rich cultural heritage, he also established the Al Ain Museum to showcase the area’s 4,000-year history of human settlement. Sheikh Zayed’s time in Al Ain laid the foundations for his future as a visionary leader, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of his people through a judicious blend of modernization and reverence for the past. His ability to balance progress with tradition would become a hallmark of his transformative reign as the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the first President of the United Arab Emirates. Ascension to Power and the Formation of the UAE In 1966, Sheikh Zayed was appointed as the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, succeeding his brother, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan. With the discovery of significant oil reserves in the 1960s, Abu Dhabi was poised for rapid economic growth, and Sheikh Zayed was entrusted with the monumental task of steering the emirate towards a future of prosperity and stability. Leveraging the newfound oil wealth, Sheikh Zayed embarked on an ambitious development program that prioritized the provision of essential services and infrastructure for the people of Abu Dhabi. He oversaw the construction of schools, hospitals, housing, and a comprehensive network of roads, laying the foundations for a modern, thriving society. Recognizing the need for unity in the face of impending British withdrawal from the region, Sheikh Zayed, alongside the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, spearheaded the negotiations for the formation of a federation of the Emirates. This was no easy task, as the concept of a united national identity was entirely foreign to the people, who had long identified with their individual emirates. Through his unparalleled diplomatic skills, strategic vision, and ability to build consensus, Sheikh Zayed was able to convince the rulers of the other Emirates to join in the establishment of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. He was subsequently elected as the first President of the UAE, a position he would hold for the next 33 years until his passing in 2004. In governing the newly formed nation, Sheikh Zayed drew from Arabian Bedouin traditions of consensus and consultation. At an informal level, this was a tradition long practiced through the majlis he became familiar with in his boyhood home, where a leading member of the community holds an “open-house” discussion meeting at which any individual may put forward views for discussion and consideration. Thus inspired, and recognizing that Abu Dhabi was embarking on a process of rapid development, Sheikh Zayed formalised the majli system in 1970 and established the National Consultative Council, bringing together the leaders of each of the main tribes. A similar body was created in 1971 for the entire UAE: the Federal National Council, the state’s parliament. During his tenure as President, Sheikh Zayed remained firmly committed to the principles of consensus-building and inclusive governance that had characterized his earlier political career. He formalized the traditional majlis system, establishing the National Consultative Council and the Federal National Council as platforms for open dialogue and collective decision-making. Simply Abu Dhabi | 63