The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan

“We cherish our environment because it is an integral part of our country, our history and our heritage.
On land and in the sea, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment.
They were able to do so only because they recognized the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they
needed to live and to preserve it for succeeding generations”.

Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
"Mercy Be Upon Him"
 

For five decades, Sheikh Zayed advocated and adopted the concept of what is known today as “Sustainable Development”. He started in 1946, when he became in charge of Al Ain area of Abu Dhabi Emirate, by launching a pioneer project for the development of water resources management system using both traditional Aflaj System (Efalf) and modern technology. Following that, he then launched his greening program which stands today as a witness of his wisdom and perseverance. His environmental achievements were going hand in hand with socio-economic development touching all aspects of life in the United Arab Emirates, from roads to airports, from health to education and social services, and from security to housing. The United Arab Emirates now has very “high tech” desalination plants, sewage treatment plants, farms, gardens, and 20% of the world’s date palms, not to mention the myriad of species of plants and flowers that now flourish all over the country.

Wildlife likewise received attention from Sheikh Zayed. To ensure the protection of his country’s biological diversity, he outlawed hunting. He went even further by creating, on his own island reserve of Sir Bani Yas, a sanctuary for endangered species, such as the Arabian Oryx and the sand gazelle. Thanks to his efforts, the symbol of Abu Dhabi, the Dorcas Gazelle, is a protected species whose numbers are now increasing under special programs. Other endangered species, under agreement with international conventions such as CITES, are protected and helped to multiply such as the rare Arabian Leopard, the Ibex, Turtles and dugong (manatee).

In 1995, Sheikh Zayed received a gold medal from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, for his agricultural development efforts, not only in his country, but in other developing countries. He was honored by the President of Pakistan with a special Decoration in 1997 for his role in environmental conservation. This was the first time that Pakistan bestowed such an accolade on a Head of State. That same year, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and President Emeritus of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) presented Sheikh Zayed with the “Golden Panda” - WWF’s highest conservation award. This was the first time in the history of the award that a Head of State was so honored. Again in 1997, he received the region’s first ever Gulf Business Award for Environmental Action. Further, Sheikh Zayed was chosen as Man of the Year twice; in 1991 by a referendum held by the Lebanese (Monday Magazine) which covered more than 30,000 readers and in 1997 by the World Arab Newspaper published in London by virtue of his fundamental achievements related to restoration between various Arab Countries that went through serious disputes. Sheikh Zayed died, Mercy be upon him, on the First day of November 2004 (19 Ramadan 1425H). His achievements live on. The United Nations Environment Program granted him the "Champion of the Earth Award" (2005) which was received by His Highness sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.
Being of such caliber and commitment, this prize is honored to bear his name.

Speech by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program, Dr. Klaus Toepfer, at the Presentation of UNEP "Champions of the Earth Award" Posthumously to UAE's Late Sheikh Zayed

Monday 18 April 2005 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Your Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates
It is my honor to ask you to accept the UNEP Champions of the Earth Award on behalf of your late father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. May his soul rest in peace!
I stand here today with mixed feelings.
It gives me great pleasure to publicly acknowledge your father’s considerable achievements.
But it also gives me deep sadness that I cannot present the award in person.
UNEP chose to name the late Sheikh Zayed a Champion of the Earth because of his lifetime commitment to protect the environment of the United Arab Emirates.
Under his leadership more than 100 million trees have been planted to stop the advance of the desert.
And by encouraging a mix of traditional and modern technologies and by stimulating agriculture, His Highness has helped the United Arab Emirates, to quite literally, bloom.
Myriad species of plants and flowers now flourish in this beautiful country, contributing to the well-being of its people.
The award also recognizes His Highness’s commitment to preserving threatened wildlife and habitats.
The release, earlier this month, of the UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report emphasized just how important it is that we work to protect the ecosystem services on which we depend.
His Highness, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, understood this.
What is more, he used his influence and his conviction to take action.
Personally, I had the honour to visit his island reserve of Sir Bani Yas – this sanctuary for endangered species.
There I saw the Arabian Oryx, the sand gazelle, the Dorcas gazelle – the symbol of Abu Dhabi. And also the Arabian leopard, the ibex and the dugong.
This is why UNEP has chosen to name His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan a Champion of the Earth as a leader whose example we are compelled to follow.
It grieves me that Sheikh Zayed is not with us, but I am comforted that his life was full and well-spent, and that he leaves behind a legacy that should benefit his people for generations to come.

Thank you.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed's tribute to Sheikh Zayed

"Zayed remains with us"

Zayed the leader, the wise and the father of the nation is still with us because he departed this world in form only; his soul, wisdom and achievements will endure forever. We pray to Almighty Allah that his soul rests in peace as we commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Sheikh Zayed, the father who loved his sons and people and devoted his life to the service of his nation.
Today, our belief in Allah's will and destiny is combined with our pride, admiration and respect for Sheikh Zayed, whom Allah rewarded with his people's love during his lifetime.
Allah has also rewarded Sheikh Zayed by including his name among the immortal leaders and reformers with his reputation for good deeds that benefit people.
With the dawn of every new day, we wake up feeling that Sheikh Zayed is still with us. He will be remembered forever because his good deeds and great achievements are evidence of his rich legacy.
We feel Sheikh Zayed among us. His image, ways and legacy live with us every day. We feel his shadow with us and his thoughts provide us with determination and optimism. We sense him speaking in his warm, tender voice, encouraging us to work, do good deeds and seek glory.
When we are alone, Sheikh Zayed shares our isolation.
Whether for one year, decades or forever, the memory of Sheikh Zayed and his life will remain immortal throughout history and among mankind, not only because of his great achievements as a veteran leader and founder who carried his Arab and Islamic nation in his heart but also because he shared the morals of our noble ancestors.
Sheikh Zayed is one of those rare leaders who were not spoiled by leadership, fortune, achievement and prestige. In fact, these things strengthened his belief in Allah and inspired him to follow in the footsteps of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) by loving people, helping the needy and being a kind-hearted, gentle, soft-spoken, decent and pure man.
His deeds and achievements reduce the pain of separation and loss.
On this day, the Arab nation and the Islamic world miss Sheikh Zayed very much. They miss his wise voice at this time of turmoil when a bold stance is needed and when there is confusion and there are no longer any creative initiatives.
On the first anniversary of his death, we pray to Allah that Sheikh Zayed's soul is resting in peace and we promise to carry his legacy in our consciences and minds and to pass it on to our sons and grandsons and cultivate it as we would a fruit-bearing plant that will benefit future generations.
Oh master, absent and present. Your generosity to us was endless. You lifted and rewarded our country and set an example to the entire world.
You were so generous to me that I had two fathers - Rashid and Zayed - and there is no honour greater than this.
Your image is still in my eyes.
Your voice still in my ears.
Your memory remains in my heart.
So you will never be gone.
May Allah grant that your soul rests in eternal peace and be pleased with you and grant you paradise."

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Gulf News - 02 November 2005

Please visit http://www.sheikhzayed.com/ for more details