His Excellency Abdullah Sultan Al Oweis, Chairman of the board of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed that the year 2018, The Year of Zayed, is a new year in which to remind ourselves of the love and faithfulness we felt as the Emirati people for Zayed and his place in our collective memory, anchoring that glory and authentic heritage of his legacy, confirming that he lives on in our hearts and souls, as Zayed was a nation in one man. It is a prestigious history that we recreate for the noble values instilled in the hearts of his people, and we remember on this occasion his brothers who laid the foundations of a country that we’re proud to belong to, protect and forsake what’s dear to us for.

Al Oweis conveyed that the announcement of 2018 as The Year of Zayed is a national event to celebrate 100 years since the birth of the founding leader the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, bless his soul, abundant in giving and goodness for the nation that, thanks to his humanitarian initiatives, the UAE enjoyed a good reputation that enhanced its global stature as a country that continued to present goodness to other countries around the world, an intermediary for love and peace among other countries, as his generous initiatives played their part in presenting a superior model for the region as well as the Arab and Islamic nations.   

Al Oweis concluded by saying: “The Emirati people and many countries have been reaping the goodness instilled by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, and the anniversary of his death carries mixed emotions of  sorrow as well as pride for the unprecedented achievements made by this great leader for his nation and his people, which has made him an icon of human dignity and love for one’s homeland.