Throughout the past week, the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, was the stage for a momentous event signalling the third major transformation in the country’s modern political history.
Eminent world leaders converged in the UAE to share with its people in their mourning for the passing of a great and much-loved leader, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed. Their assembly testified at the same time to the significance these leaders attach to Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed’s rapid ascension to the presidency, and the smooth transition of power in a leading Gulf nation at a time of enormous global geo-strategic instability.
The nation’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, initiated the country’s first tectonic transformation in 1971. Against all local and regional odds, he established a modern state focused on the prosperity and wellbeing of its people, committed to goodwill to its neighbours, and engaged in global humanitarian service. The UAE’s vision and strategies were resonant with the pursuit of tolerance, empathy, and compassion – an ethos that became the country’s hallmark. His era established the UAE’s solid physical, institutional and moral foundations.
Following Sheikh Zayed’s death in 2004, his eldest son Sheikh Khalifa took up the reins of power in a smooth transition that heralded the UAE’s second transformation. His 18 years as Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE brought about a dramatic evolution of the kind that few world leaders have overseen.
Under his leadership, and in close collaboration with the UAE government, led by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the nation metamorphosed into an advanced regional and global heavyweight. He continued the Founder’s ethos through a focus on the welfare and security of the people, with substantial foreign aid donations, and by playing a responsible international role. Sheikh Khalifa’s era was one of empowerment, both of its citizens and its institutions.
This week, the Supreme Council elected Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to the Presidency of the UAE. This moment launches a new period of transformation that will be as momentous as the first two. His era will be marked by the nation’s steadfast progress towards the government’s far-reaching and ambitious centennial goals. His leadership will propel the country forward to become a global economic and knowledge-based powerhouse, and a world leader in governance, education, health and well-being.
This moment launches a new period of transformation that will be as momentous as the first two
Sheikh Mohamed has long been primed to assume the leadership of his country, brought up in the traditions of his father. Dedicated to his people’s welfare, he continued his father’s humanitarian legacy by helping the poor and needy and working with international agencies to eradicate preventable diseases and protect the world’s environment. His 18 years as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi were spent helping his brother to shape the emirate into a modern and highly developed economy readied for the post-oil epoch.
As Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, he transformed the military into a powerful and high-tech deterrent, and one of the Middle East’s best equipped. This ensures the safety of a resource-rich yet midsized country that must navigate a vigilant path in a region riddled with conflict. And, serving as a de-facto leader throughout his brother’s long illness, Sheikh Mohamed has already played a major role in the day-to-day affairs of the nation. His leadership mettle has been tested by several crises from which he and the country emerged with resounding success.
He has invested the UAE’s oil wealth judiciously, developing the country’s status as a business centre of regional and global financial and economic importance. He has been able to extend the UAE’s international influence, assiduously cultivating strategic alliances with a broad spectrum of global leaders to strengthen the country’s wide network of partnerships in the region and further afield. His foreign policy was welded to the UAE’s ethos of bringing peace and stability, and to its ethic of tolerance and respect for human dignity.
Education and culture have always been central pillars of Sheikh Mohamed’s vision of progress. He believes that an advanced educational infrastructure and a vibrant cultural scene are essential to human happiness and economic sustainability. He has, therefore, worked to develop educational and cultural institutions of international standing, and to preserve the nation’s heritage, values and traditions while building bridges to world cultures.
Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed has unique qualifications as newly elected President. An inspiring and experienced leader, he will carry his nation forward towards its 2071 goals. The world community perceives him as a charismatic, wise, resolute and visionary leader. That he embodies the ethos of his father and the values of the nation is of great significance in today’s political climate.
Today, all nations experience the disruption of climate crisis, geopolitical uncertainty, an eroding international order and the imbalance between population growth and resources. Whole regions suffer conflict, violence, division and distrust. To achieve sustainable solutions in such a polarised world, we depend more than ever before on unified goals and the sharing of resources. We also need a sense of common humanity across the diversity and richness of global society.
Such a co-operative, humanitarian ethos is Sheikh Mohamed’s heritage and foresight. In bringing confidence and hope to his own people, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan bears a wider message of optimism to mankind.
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
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.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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)
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 200
Amount raised: $3m
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
match details
Wales v Hungary
Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off 11.45pm
