Remembering a statesman

We remember Sheikh Khalifa on  his first death anniversary on May 13th.

• Became the representative of the ruler of Abu Dhabi in the Eastern Province and the president of its legal system in August 1966
• Became Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on 1st February 1969
• Became the Prime Minister of Abu Dhabi and Minister of Defence and Finance on 1st July 1971
• Became Deputy Prime Minister in the second UAE Federal Cabinet on 20th January 1974
• Became Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces in 1976
• Became President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi on 3rd November 2004
• Passed away on 13th May 2022.

Birth and origins

Sheikh Khalifa was born in Al Muwaiji Fort in Al Ain in 1948. His full name is Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa bin Shakhbout bin Theyab bin Issa bin Nahyan bin Falah bin Yas. He is the eldest son of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. His mother is Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Al Muwaiji village was a centre of influence for the Al bu Falah subsection of the Bani Yas tribal confederation and the Al Nahyan ruling family.

Sheikh Khalifa belongs to the tribe of Bani Yas. Bani Yas is considered the mother tribe for most of the Arab tribes that settled in what is known today as the United Arab Emirates, which is historically known as ‘Bani Yas Alliance’.

Early years

Sheikh Khalifa lived with his family at Al Muwaiji Fort in Al Ain city. He received his school education in Al Ain at the city’s first school built by his father.

Sheikh Khalifa spent most of his childhood in the oases of Al Ain and Al Buraimi with the company of his father who governed the Al Ain region at that time.

Figures who influenced Sheikh Khalifa

Sheikh Zayed was keen to take his eldest son on most of his daily activities and visits in the areas of Al Ain and Al Buraimi. The oases of Al Ain and Al Buraimi were places of strategic and vital economic significance for Abu Dhabi as the main agricultural producer and as the major strategic centre for the security of the region.

Accompanying his father in his difficult task to improve the lives of the tribes of the area and establish state authority, Sheikh Khalifa learned the essential values of responsibility, trust, justice and rights.

He was also fortunate to have the benefit of the education of public majlis, which was regarded as the finest school for teaching the skills of political leadership at that time. The public majlis of his father brought him close to the tribes, giving him the opportunity to learn their culture and understand their aspirations and acquire management and communication skills.

During the visits and at the majlis, Sheikh Khalifa saw his father’s dedication to bring prosperity and well-being to the tribes, to maintain their security and unity, to care for the environment and preserve the heritage of his people. He learned that a real leader is one who is wholly concerned with the welfare of his people.

The other thing that complemented his leadership skills was the majlis of his grandfather from his mother’s side. His grandfather Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa, was the senior figure of the Al Nahyan family at that time and was known for his wisdom.

Along with his mother’s attention, Sheikh Khalifa also enjoyed special care and attention from his grandmother Sheikha Salama, who was respected for her sophistication, wisdom and perception.

The beginning of governance journey

When late Sheikh Zayed moved to Abu Dhabi city to become the Ruler of the emirate in August 1966, he appointed Sheikh Khalifa - who was 18 at that time - as his representative in the Eastern Province and the President of its legal system. This delegation of authority was seen as a mark of the high confidence Sheikh Zayed had in his son.

Sheikh Khalifa followed in the footsteps of his father and continued the implementation of major development projects in the Eastern Province, especially those designed to improve agriculture. His notable success in Al Ain was the beginning of a long career in public service that saw Sheikh Khalifa assume his leadership role with ease and skill, marking major accomplishments and achievements. During the following years, Sheikh Khalifa held a number of major posts. He became the main executive leader of his late father’s Government, overseeing, both on the local and federal levels, the implementation of all major projects. On 1 February 1969, Sheikh Khalifa was nominated as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. And, on the next day he was appointed as the Head of the Department of Defence in Abu Dhabi. He oversaw the setting up of the Abu Dhabi Defence Force (ADDF), which later became the nucleus of the UAE Armed Forces.

Culled from sources.