Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on Friday visited the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival 2014 taking place between 20 November-12 December in the Al Wathba City.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid toured the venue of the festival which is named in honour of the UAE's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He visited the four sections of the event which focuses on four areas that have shaped life in the UAE – desert, oases, the sea and mountains- and examines the pivotal role that people from the past have played in preserving the nation's history.
The festival celebrates the U.A.E.'s culture, heritage and showcases the rich diversity of its traditions, to provide an educational platform for the public. It also illustrates that the UAE's development and progress has not been a coincidence but a legacy of the forefathers' inspiring achievements.
He also visited a special pavilion that showcases Sheikh Zayed's life and achievements since the establishment of the UAE 43 years ago.
He also viewed historical documents and photos put on display for the first time for the public in order to showcase the history of the UAE.
Expressing his admiration of the event, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid concluded his tour by commenting, "The Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival refreshes the memory of our people and serves as an eye-opener for the young generation to see the heritage, culture and history of their forefathers." He emphasised that the wise leaders of the U.A.E. will continue to nurture the authentic Arab heritage, traditions and noble values of the U.A.E. people while, at the same time, reaching out to the world's cultures and civilisations to build humane bridges with them, regardless of race, geography or religion.
He also hailed the organisation of the festival under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the support of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and under the personal supervision of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Additionally, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid urged the nation's young generation to cling to their national identity and heritage and to be, at the same time, open to others to explore foreign cultures and tap into knowledge to enrich their own culture and promote it globally.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied during his tour by Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the festival, Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director-General of Dubai's Protocol Department, Hamad Saeed Al Niyadi, Director of the Office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Organising Committee and Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Meydan City Corporation.
Source: WAM