Next year has been declared the "Year of Zayed" by Sheikh Khalifa, the President. As a man, a leader and humanitarian, Sheikh Zayed was so dearly loved by his people.
Some readers, perhaps those from outside the country or those who were not living in the UAE when he was alive, may wonder why, so let me elaborate.
I remember finding a picture of Sheikh Zayed that included the words: “they said I could invest in anything, so I invested in people”. For me, those words speak louder than any, and they explain why the people of the UAE, and many in the region and around the world, held Sheikh Zayed in such high regard.
His leadership is not just remembered for all that he built, it is remembered for all he did for others.
My father went from being a young man working on a stall dreaming of speaking English, to being given an opportunity to study business and finance in the United Kingdom due to the educational support policies put in place by Sheikh Zayed. Upon returning to this country, my father went on to build a home for us through the national housing programme. In retirement, he has also benefited from the social programmes, including access to healthcare, that were put in place during the 1970s and 1980s.
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Sheikh Zayed also did plenty for those around the world. In 1971, under his directive, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development was established "to provide financial resources to help developing countries achieve sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty".
For me that shows a man who had a vision of humanity and development beyond his country's borders.
More than 80 of the world's countries have had access to billions of dirhams of funding since its inception.
Sheikh Zayed wanted to empower people. He believed that people regardless of race, colour or religion deserved to live with dignity, that they deserved a chance to live a better life and that they deserved a chance to provide for their families, a chance to live free and be happy.
In today's world, where fear is being used as a source of power and influence, 2018 will be a great reminder that the love of people is the greatest source of power a country, a government and a leader can have.
So for me, 2018 is a celebration of what Sheikh Zayed loved and worked for most: the people. It's a celebration of humanity, it's a celebration that with kindness, love and tolerance, things can and will become better.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
