Abu Dhabi, UAE – As part of the United Arab Emirates’ celebrations of Union Day, the fragrant memory of the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,
who laid the foundations of the modern state, is renewed.
The unity project led from a fragmented tribal idea to a state with strong institutions.
Today it has become a model of stability, development, and political
and social balance at the level of the Arab world.
From the very first moment of the declaration of the UAE Union in 1971,
Sheikh Zayed’s goal was not merely to establish a unified political entity,
Rather, he sought to establish a modern state that transcended
the boundaries of tribal geography to a broader space of inclusive national identity.
He believed that the union would not be complete without establishing the concept of
“federal citizenship” that balances the local particularity of each emirate
with the broader national belonging.
This is a concept that has become one of the secrets of the state’s cohesion
and stability over the past decades.
From idea to state
Sheikh Zayed, may God rest his soul, faced major challenges in achieving the dream of unity.
But he dealt with it with a balanced political mindset based on dialogue and understanding.
He saw in each emirate a part of the whole, and in each sheikh a partner in building,
not a follower in decision-making.
Through this vision, the Supreme Council of the Union was born
as the highest legislative and executive authority.
This is to embody a unique model of integration between federal and local leadership.
This ensures the continuation of unity within flexible frameworks that take
into account particularities without affecting the constants of the state.
Federal citizenship: A balanced identity
Sheikh Zayed, may God rest his soul, worked on formulating a new concept
of citizenship based on justice, equality and equal opportunities.
This is far removed from fanaticism and divisions.
For him, citizenship was not merely a legal affiliation, but a humanitarian
and developmental project aimed at building the human being before the building.
Hence came his policies in education, health and housing as fundamental pillars
to establish the citizen’s feeling that he is a partner in development,
not just a recipient of its fruits.
The balanced state model
Thanks to the vision of Sheikh Zayed, may God rest his soul,
the UAE has presented a unique Arab model of what a “balanced state” can be.
A country that combines modernity and belonging, openness and tradition,
economic development and social justice.
While some countries were preoccupied with ideological conflicts or internal divisions,
the UAE focused on sustainable development and building effective institutions.
It proved that a balance between authenticity and modernity is possible
when wise leadership and sincere will are present.
A renewed legacy
The legacy of Sheikh Zayed, may God rest his soul, is still present in all aspects
of the modern UAE state, from its foreign policies based on moderation and humanitarian cooperation.
This is in addition to its development programs that have
made the citizen the focus of every achievement.
As the UAE celebrates Union Day, the determination to continue
the founder’s path towards a more prosperous and cohesive future is renewed.
Sheikh Zayed, may God have mercy on him,
succeeded in transforming the idea of the union from
a political desire into a solid institutional reality,
and from a local dream into an Arab model to be emulated.
With each new day of union, the UAE affirms that the Zayed project was not
an event in history, but rather a methodology for building, balancing, and sustaining the state.
