Our Father Zayed

Upon entering most public spaces (hotels, restaurants, malls, etc.), you'll see portraits of the founding sheikh of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. In Adam's first HR orientation, he learned that Sheikh Zayed is hands down the most important man in Emirati history, and for good reason: according to Ask Ali's guide book to Abu Dhabi, "In Sheikh Zayed's lifetime, the country went from seven sparse tribal territories protected by the British to a wealthy independent nation with considerable influence in the Middle East." Under no circumstances are you to make fun of or berate him; in fact, you wouldn't even put your coffee cup on top of his photo if it were on the cover of the morning newspaper.

On the way to Marina Mall the other day, I noticed a huge billboard of Sheikh Zayed with a URL underneath (way to be on top of the internets, Abu Dhabi!): www.ourfatherzayed.ae. I noted it in my little travel book (thanks, Mea :) and checked it out this morning. Of course, the former Watershedder in me was immediately interested in the functionality of the site, but I was also struck by the content--people really do love and honor this man.

And considering our reason for being here--Adam teaching English--I loved this quote from the late Sheikh: "The best investment of our wealth is in creating cultured and educated citizens. We have to be swift and make our progress in education faster than our progress in any other field."