UAE leaders share emotional Father's Day tributes, highlighting sacrifice and legacy

United Arab Emirates leaders marked Father's Day on June 21 with deeply personal and emotional tributes, celebrating the profound influence of fathers on their lives and the nation's development. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum all shared messages reflecting on fatherhood's enduring legacy.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed shared a poignant photograph with his father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's Founding Father. He described fathers as pillars of support, sacrifice, and devotion, viewing Sheikh Zayed as the embodiment of fatherhood who built the nation through wisdom, compassion, and responsibility. Prayers were offered for deceased fathers, with blessings extended to all fathers worldwide.

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We are what they built.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remembered his late father, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, reflecting on how parental guidance shapes future generations. He characterized his father as calm, dignified, and decisive, valuing honesty and integrity above all else. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum dedicated his message to his father, crediting him with instilling the values of national service and measuring success by contribution and positive impact.

These heartfelt tributes align with the UAE's 2026 Year of the Family initiative, which aims to strengthen familial ties and support parents and children. Sheikh Mohamed emphasized the crucial role of fathers in maintaining family stability and cohesion, stating that strong families are vital for societal strength and national progress.

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Fathers are symbols of support, sacrifice and devotion.