Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed’s birthday: Things you didn’t know about the UAE President
- 11 Mar 2023
Gulf Today Report
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan turned 62 on Saturday, March 11.
The Federal Supreme Council on May 14 unanimously elected Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed as President of the United Arab Emirates.
The humble President held the title of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi until his brother late President Sheikh Khalifa’s death in 2022.
Sheikh Mohamed, born on March 11, 1961, also played an active role, participating in the development of the emirate of Abu Dhabi for more than three decades where it witnessed a rapid economic and social transformation. Sheikh Mohamed is known, and for a long time, to be the driving force behind many initiatives that contributed into supporting and enforcing the security of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and motivate its economic growth and diversity.
Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed is the third son of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, 'Father of the Nation.’
The Mohamed Bin Zayed Family
Sheikh Mohamed is married to Her Highness Sheikha Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, and has four sons and five daughters, and two adopted daughters, Salha and Amina.
Sheikha Mariam Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikha Shamsa Bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikha Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikha Shamma Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Zayed Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikha Hassa Bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Military life and Combat chopper pilot
Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was educated at schools in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi until the age of 18. In 1979, he joined the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he trained in armour, helicopter flying, tactical flying and paratroops.
His training included a fundamental armor course and a fundamental flying course, helicopters and tactical planes, as well as parachutist course. His Highness has an experience in flying the Gazelle helicopter armor and fleet, fly school and air college.
He is regularly seen flying a chopper over the skies of UAE.
Hunting and Falconry
Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed is well-known for his passion for hunting and falconry, a love which was passed on to him by his father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Poetry and Literature
Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed also maintains a deep interest in poetry, especially that of the Nabati style which is native to the region.
He regularly lends support to poetry competitions and other events, allowing them to be held under his patronage and attending in person as many of them as he can. In addition, he consistently demonstrates commitment to cultural, artistic, literary and innovation-based initiatives in the community.
Sports activities
Sheikh Mohamed also follows a number of sports in the UAE and he regularly meets with Emirati sportsmen and women to recognize their achievements.
He takes keen interests in the UAE Jujitsu competitions and made jujitsu compulsory in schools.
He once said that he practices the sport and that his son’s personality changed after taking up Jujitsu.
Research and Education
Education has always been a priority of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, whether its public or private from elementary till secondary school, and higher education. He is the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Education Council, which was established in 2005.
He chairs the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, which oversees the publishing of critical academic studies and analysis related to key issues relevant to both, the UAE and the region.
Environment Protection
Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed is known for his passion for protecting wild falcons and bustards, as well as the Arabian Oryx, enriching the UAE's and the world's wildlife, which reflects throughout the establishment and heading of the Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund.
Sheikh Mohamed’s efforts to preserve the nature lead to adopting alternative energy projects, particularly Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, which is an initiative to establish a carbon-emission-free city, which will enable Abu Dhabi to lead international research within energy development and sustainable techniques fields.
Economic Development
Economic diversity is considered one of Sheikh Mohamed's key issues, within efforts to achieve comprehensive up rise of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
He holds the post of Chairman of the UAE Offset Program Bureau (Offset) which work on executing investments through establishing projects of feasibility within the different sectors, which help with the UAE's economy diversification.
To help create this diversification, Mubadala Development Company was established in 2002 to become one of Abu Dhabi Government's main investment entities, and aspire to achieve sustainable social and economic benefits for the emirate.