Zayed was an exceptional Arab leader who realised aspirations of UAE: Sheikha Fatima

ABU DHABI, 2rd June 2016 (WAM) - H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, has paid tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, describing him as an exceptional Arab leader who realised aspirations of the UAE and led its progress in all fields. In a statement she made to mark Zayed Humanitarian Day, which coincides the death anniversary of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan on 19th of Ramadan, Sheikha Fatima said: "As we mark this day, we renew our pledge to continue his march of development and to build on his achievements to remain among the top countries in humanitarian works, under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan." Sheikha Fatima recalled Sheikh Zayed's stances in support of the Arab joint action and his efforts to promote values of peace, amity and co-existence among the nations of the world. "There is hardly a country in the world that had not benefited from the deeds of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, May Allah reward him for his assistance to the poor and needy people. He will always be remembered for his humanitarian and charitable deeds," she added. Sheikha Fatima also said that Sheikh Zayed realised women's key role in the country's development and the leadership has adopted his vision to empower women. "The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan recognised that women make up one half of society and any nation cannot function if potentials of that half are ignored. He encouraged women to pursue education and to assume higher positions," she stated. Sheikha Fatima went on to say that the late Sheikh Zayed was confidently looking forward to the day when women of the UAE become doctors, engineers and ambassadors. His vision has been realised and the women are now ministers, FNC members, officers and pilots." - Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395297045464.html