Page 66 - Arabian Business

TRIBUTE | BY COLM MCLOUGHLIN, EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN AND CEO, DUBAI DUTY FREE

was made equally available
to female Emiratis and this
commitment to equality is,
I’m pleased to say, ongoing.
The benevolent nature
of Sheikh Zayed and, in my
own experience, Sheikh
Rashid, was evident among
expatriate groups as well.
They wanted us to be happy
and have a good standard
of life while working here
in the UAE. Schools and
places of worship were built
for expatriate children and
worshippers of all faiths, and
local societies, such as the
Dubai Irish Society, were
encouraged and supported
and they thrive to this day.
The role that the UAE has
played in supporting and
endorsing so many charitable
u HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was well known for his generosity at home and abroad causes derives directly from
the generosity of the rulers
A legacy of leadership and in particular from Sheikh
Zayed. His desire to help
A long-time Dubai business leader shares his views on why those less fortunate resulted
in the setting up of the
the UAE has become a beacon for success and tolerance Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Charitable and Humanitarian
I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE q I WAS IMPRESSED BY ruler directly and either give Foundation back in 1992
utmost respect and HOW OPEN THE RULERS their good wishes or make a with a donation of $1m. Since
admiration for the rulers of request. I know that Sheikh that time the foundation has
the UAE, and I like the fact WERE TO MEETING Zayed was particularly fond of contributed AED1bn ($272m)
that HH Sheikh Zayed Bin AND GREETING meeting with residents, both in aid to causes both inside
Sultan Al Nahyan is being THEIR SUBJECTS local and expatriate, to find and outside of the UAE. The
remembered and honoured in out more about their lives. support for worthy causes
The Year of Zayed initiative. ON A DAILY BASIS” He was often seen driving has seen the establishment of
When I arrived in Dubai in around Abu Dhabi, waving to many additional foundations
July 1983, I have to admit that passers-by and even stopping and the UAE is recognised
I knew little about the people being driven by the vision to investigate something that internationally as one of
of the UAE – but that was and leadership of the UAE caught his eye. the world’s most generous
quickly to change. I was part rulers – and in particular by I was impressed, and in fact donor countries.
of a team from Aer Rianta (the HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan continue to be impressed, by As we celebrate the
Irish Airport Authority) whose Al Nahyan and the then Dubai the benevolent and tolerant centenary of Sheikh Zayed,
job it was to set up Dubai Duty Ruler HH Sheikh Rashid Bin nature of the UAE’s rulers, we can look back on the
Free at Dubai International Saeed Al Maktoum. something which continues remarkable role that he
Airport. After some initial In addition to being struck to this day. The fact that has played in ensuring the
meetings with senior airport by the positive attitude that education was so important growth of the UAE into a
and government officials, it I encountered in those early to the rulers, especially leading light on the global
became clear that their “can days, I was impressed by Sheikh Zayed, ensured UAE stage. The fact that the
do” attitude was going to how open the rulers were nationals had access to third ruling families continue with
transform the country. to meeting and greeting level education, making this legacy of generosity,
The Emiratis had a desire their subjects on a daily them eminently qualified tolerance, leadership and
to grow the UAE to be a major basis. I liked very much the to carry out the ambitious humanitarianism means PHOTO: NATIONAL ARCHIVES
commercial, leisure and idea of the Majlis, whereby expansion plans for the that the future is bright for
cultural capital, and this was residents can meet with the country. Third level education the people of the UAE. a
66 Vol. 19/04, January – February 2018