Foundation of UAE remains most cherished memory

The unique experience of the Union and the founding of the UAE Federation 45 years ago remains the most cherished memory in the history of our young nation, which set the most amazing examples while it was transforming into a modern state with solid pillars that is moving steadily into modernity of various human and civilisational aspects, H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, has said on the occasion of the 45th UAE National Day.

"The top priority of this state is the dignity, glory and preparation of man, the centre and the safety valve of development, which achieves happiness for its generous people. It is the inevitable result of a close relationship between a wise leadership and a people showing the most sublime manifestations of loyalty and sincerity due to their firm belief in firm patriotic values of protecting the assets and gains of the nation," Sheikh Saud said in a statement to the Dira' al Watan, Nation Shield, magazine.

Sheikh Saud paid tribute to the top leaders for driving sweeping overall development across the UAE, inspired by the legacy and insightful vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE, who "had all the characteristics of a historical leader".

The following is the full text of the statement of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi: "The unique experience of unifying the nation and the establishment of the UAE Federation 45 years ago remains the most cherished memory in the history of our young nation, which set the most amazing examples while it was transforming into a modern state with solid pillars that is moving steadily into innovation of various human and civilisational aspects.

The top priority of this state is the dignity, glory and preparation of man, the centre and the safety valve of development, which achieves happiness for its generous people. It is the inevitable result of a close relationship between a wise leadership and a people showing the most sublime manifestations of loyalty and sincerity due to their firm belief in firm patriotic values of protecting the assets and gains of the nation.

Today we are celebrating the 45th birthday of our beloved nation under the leadership of my brothers President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates.

Our source of pride over the course of the past 45 years of the union has been the tangible successive achievements made by the UAE at regional and global levels, and of course the overall development at home that benefited every one of the people of our beloved state.

We firmly believe that all these achievements would have not been possible without our collective commitment to the patriotic firm principles of our solid union, in response to the call of Allah Almighty who says in the Holy Quran, 'And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves.' That is the only option we have, and the only way to achieve security, stability and prosperity of a modern federal state in which all people enjoy glory and feel proud to stand behind their wise leadership. The leadership counts on the people giving them full freedom to achieve glory for the nation, build its civilisation and achieve the desired progress in all spheres in order to earn it an outstanding position among advanced nations.

Today as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the launch of the union experience, we should remember the significant role that the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, God rest his soul, played, sparing no efforts and embracing an insightful future outlook to lay the foundations of the union which has been shining brightly across the nation. Further achievements ensued, thanks to his keen follow up of the stages of development in the UAE, building on traits of a historical leader. His actions had a significant positive impact, spreading prosperity and safety across the UAE and the surrounding Arab states in the region, and beyond, into states that needed assistance.

What makes us prouder is the fact that our wise leadership is walking in the steps of the founding father who instilled the noble human values of sacrifice and generosity in the people as a rule for life and a practical path for nation building, spreading harmony, love and good citizenship among the young generation.

Today, all of us are cruising our way aboard the same ship with His Highness Sheikh Khalifa and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, God bless them, at the helm, leading us on the same course as the late Sheikh Zayed to increase achievements and gains in various spheres, enable the UAE to be in the lead by calling for the achievement of global peace and security through exemplary international relations. In the meantime, the leadership achieved further cohesion among all our people as a natural result of establishing justice and equality as a system that raised the bar on ambitions and hopes and set the sky as the limit with their relentless determination.

On this glorious day, it is our duty to remember the late founding fathers and rulers who stood side by side together as one solid whole to strengthen the union and its roots, based on their firm belief that the destiny of the people hinges on the continuity of the state, and cohesion with the wise leadership. The coming generations will reap the fruits of the trees planted by the forefathers and enjoy the success story being told to everybody.

Truly, the state has transformed into a global model for overall sustainable development, a haven for security, safety and social, economic and political stability.

Our generous people: All of us recognise the fact that the sacrifices of Emiratis in the arenas of honour and war are a source of pride for all.

These sacrifices represent the noble values on which our children were raised, as reflected in the victories that our Armed Forces have been achieving in Yemen where they made dear sacrifices and risked their lives to defend the security of our state and keep its flag flying high, all emanating from their pure strong belief in, and total loyalty to, my brother President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who pledged to spare no effort to support the prestigious stature of the nation and its people.

In conclusion, I extend sincere congratulations to my brother President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and pray to Allah Almighty to bless him with continued good health and well-being, and to my brothers the Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the Emirati people on the 45th anniversary of the founding our beloved nation.

I pray to Allah Almighty to keep us blessed with security, safety, stability, progress and prosperity under our wise leadership."