The Emirati martyrs who sacrificed themselves for their country are the backbone of the citizenry. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces once told their families “you, and your children are [vital] like the bone of the neck”. Yesterday, he said “when we take pride in our youth, our martyrs come to the forefront, for their great contribution to their homeland and their families, expressing their patriotism and the values passed over generations of altruism, loyalty and love for the motherland.” He considers martyrs “the pride of the youth” and of the whole nation.
In a previous article, I said that the backbone or “neck bone” principle is an essential part of Emirati citizenship. It is the basis of the relationship between the State and the citizens. The leadership does not look at the people from a purely theoretical political perspective but views them as members of one big family as understood from the backbone principle. They are related to one another and belong to one country.
The “neck bone” is a local expression only truly understood by those who lived among the people of the UAE and who have been in touch with the people and the leadership. Those have witnessed the political and social cohesion in the meetings of the rulers and the heirs. Still, some people always spread lies trying to damage this reputation of the UAE.
This wonderful popular cohesion embodied by the sacrifices of the martyrs is unique to the UAE. The leaders of the country, who send their sons defending it alongside their brothers from the people, believe in fairness and equality in all rights and duties.
When they learned about the injury of HH Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the plane crash that killed four Emiratis, the people expressed their sadness. However, no one was surprised that his Highness was among the forces. Many sheikhs went to defend the right cause of legitimacy in Yemen as well as their sons. Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Thiab bin Khalifa bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Mohammed bin Sorour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan and Shahut bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Nahyan, Ahmed Bin Saud Al Qasimi, have all participated in the UAE forces taking part of the Saudi-Arab coalition. Some of them were injured in military operations.
The cohesion between the leadership and the people reflects the conviction of our wise leadership that we are not a country of speakers but one of doers. Our rulers do what they say and our country is about national action and standing for what is right, together and equal in rights and duties. The school of righteous governance founded by the late leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan continues with His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
