Sheikh Zayed: A Century of Memories

To celebrate the centennial of the birth of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918-2004), the Founder and first President of the United Arab Emirates, Lest We Forget has compiled one hundred personal memories from individuals whose lives were elevated by Sheikh Zayed. Documenting memories of Sheikh Zayed during the ‘Year of Zayed,’ when the nation reflects upon its beloved leader, is timely. While he remains in living memory for many, young Emiratis and new arrivals to the UAE did not experience the era of Sheikh Zayed’s rule. Sheikh Zayed, who united the federation and laid the foundation of the UAE in 1971, passed away during Ramadan on November 2, 2004, after thirty-eight years of humanitarian leadership. 

This volume pays homage to Sheikh Zayed, gathering and preserving vernacular memories of his life, leadership and inimitable character. Although the oral histories presented here tell us much that complements the official and scholarly accounts of Sheikh Zayed’s life, this is documentation of an altogether different kind, gleaned entirely from the perspective of the populace. In essence, this book can be read as a collaborative portrait of Sheikh Zayed, created by the community of people whose identities and lives were inspired by his vision, each of whom continues to hold Sheikh Zayed in the highest regard. 

Memory vividly reveals how people thought and felt about Sheikh Zayed as a person and as their ruler. To share a memory is to share a deeply held, personal perception of Sheikh Zayed. To speak of a memory involves a process of observation and reflection that is necessarily selective and filtered through discerning and emotions. Memory is not historical fact. Rather it is a powerful way to perceive what has occurred that can no longer be seen. Elements of truth and imagination, intellect and sentiment comprise memories. Memories, like dreams, are actual, yet intangible. They are steeped in complex meaning, but difficult to define and describe. The ways that people remember events and conversations can change with time. An honest and intimate understanding of Sheikh Zayed can be found in the complexity of collective memory. 

The telling of memories is fundamentally a creative act and form of self-expression. As we learn about Sheikh Zayed through peoples’ memories of him, we get to know those who hold the memories, too. Through collective memories of encounters with Sheikh Zayed we discover the interests, passions, talents, accomplishments, struggles, hopes and dreams of many people. The collective memories reveal in nite ways that Sheikh Zayed touched, even transformed, people’s lives. His influence still shines through people. These memories attest to how profoundly Sheikh Zayed exists in the national psyche.