H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain, has hailed the decision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for declaring 2017 as the Year of Giving.

The decision, he said, reflected that the UAE was following the path of charity established by its founder the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

He added that the UAE has always led in the field of charity, aid and voluntary initiatives globally, thanks to the directives of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Supreme Council Members Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates, who were raised on the legacy and approach of the late Sheikh Zayed.

He said that together they have established a culture of tolerance, compassion and voluntary work in the UAE society.

The Ruler affirmed that the UAE will continue along this path of philanthropic work, and called upon all institutions to join in this endeavour and work towards ensuring the success of this initiative. Such charity work will promote and enforce the values of loyalty, responsibility and volunteerism.

He stressed that the initiative of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa highlights the premier status that the UAE has acquired at the local and international levels in the field of charity and volunteer work.

In conclusion Sheikh Saud called upon the UAE’s citizens to embrace this initiative to achieve the aspirations of the leadership and thus contribute towards the development of the UAE community.