Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Attends Zayed Humanitarian Day Commemoration in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended the “Zayed Humanitarian Day” event held at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, marking the 19th day of Ramadan and commemorating the enduring humanitarian legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The event was organised by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (AWQAF) in cooperation with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, under the supervision of the Presidential Court.

The annual occasion honours the life and vision of Sheikh Zayed, whose humanitarian philosophy helped shape the United Arab Emirates into a global symbol of generosity, compassion, and charitable action. The event also aimed to reinforce the social and humanitarian values inspired by Sheikh Zayed’s legacy and encourage continued commitment to humanitarian work.

Among the prominent attendees were Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE Council for Fatwa and President of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace; Dr. Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent Authority; Dr. Omar Habtour Al Derei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat; Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Secretary-General of Erth Zayed Philanthropies; and Saeed Mohammed Al Raqbani, Special Advisor to the Ruler of Fujairah.

Also present were Ali bin Al-Sayyid Abdulrahman Al Hashemi, Advisor for Judicial and Religious Affairs at the Presidential Court; Dr. Yousef Al Obaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre; Ahmed Rashid Al Neyadi, Director-General of the AWQAF Authority; Yusuff Ali M.A., Chairman of Lulu Group International, along with several senior officials, scholars, and dignitaries.

The ceremony commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a keynote speech by Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, who highlighted Sheikh Zayed’s enduring commitment to moderation and tolerance. He noted that the late leader transformed humanitarian values into institutions, compassion into sustained charitable work, and wisdom into balanced governance, making moderation a cornerstone of the UAE’s statecraft.

Sheikh Abdullah also praised the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, emphasizing the UAE’s effective approach to addressing challenges with wisdom and resilience while reinforcing stability and security across the region.

Dr. Mustafa Mohammed Abdel Ghani, one of the scholars hosted by the UAE President, addressed the gathering, describing Zayed Humanitarian Day as a moment to reflect on universal human values amid global challenges and conflicts. He stressed that compassion remains the foundation of civilization, generosity is a universal language, and serving humanity is among the highest forms of devotion.

Saeed Mohammed Al Raqbani also shared personal memories of working alongside Sheikh Zayed during his tenure as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. He recalled major development initiatives led by the Founding Father, including the construction of more than fifty dams across the UAE to preserve rainwater and support agricultural and livestock development, as well as regulatory measures to protect marine resources.

He also highlighted Sheikh Zayed’s humanitarian contributions beyond the UAE, including the reconstruction of Yemen’s historic Ma’rib Dam and the development of a major road linking Cairo and Alexandria in Egypt, among other international development projects.

In his remarks, Dr. Omar Habtour Al Derei described Sheikh Zayed’s legacy as a “moral constitution” guiding the UAE’s humanitarian and developmental efforts. He emphasised that the message recently conveyed by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed the nation’s core values and strengthened public awareness and unity within Emirati society.

Dr. Al Derei outlined four key pillars derived from Sheikh Zayed’s legacy: wisdom in leadership, national security and stability, unity among citizens and residents, and the ability to emerge stronger from challenges by transforming crises into opportunities for progress.

The event concluded with a special segment reflecting the noble values passed down through generations of Emiratis, symbolising the loyalty of the descendants of Sheikh Zayed to the Founding Father and their allegiance to the UAE’s leadership.

Attendees also offered prayers asking Almighty God to grant the late Sheikh Zayed His mercy and to continue blessing the United Arab Emirates with security, stability, and prosperity under its wise leadership.