Fakhr Al-Orouba (Pride of Arabism): His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Leader and the Human
The book was published in 2017, when His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces; His Highness is today President of the United Arab Emirates.
Emirati writer and strategic researcher Dr. Salem Alketbi has published a book entitled “Fakhr Al-Orouba (Pride of Arabism): His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Leader and the Human”, which examines the positions and policies of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The book comprises an introduction, a preface, seven chapters and a conclusion. It is a documented academic work written with a systematic method and the first of its kind on the subject: it sheds scholarly light on the policies, positions and orientations of His Highness, and reviews, in a fluent style and with a distinct national spirit, the dimensions of his positions and policies and their role in preserving regional security and stability.
The book opens with an introduction in which the author draws on verses by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, describing the character of his brother His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan — verses the author considers the most eloquent ever written about His Highness, expressing his Arab nationalism, chivalry, patriotism and Arab identity.
Chapter One sheds light on the school of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (“Zayed of Goodness”), in governance and leadership, on the premise that this school laid the foundations of leadership in the UAE. The chapter argues that His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is an extension of the late Sheikh Zayed and one of the most prominent and devoted sons of his everlasting school, having absorbed from the Founder his unique qualities in leadership, politics, governance and wisdom, his closeness and openness to people, and a charismatic leadership that stems not from position or constitutional powers but from people’s conviction, love and voluntary acceptance, rooted in their trust in the leadership’s ability to embody their aspirations. The chapter also lists the factors that helped His Highness acquire the principles of the school of Zayed and embody them in word and deed throughout his life.
In Chapter Two, “Early Stages in the Life of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan”, the author examines how the early stages of His Highness’s life — the posts and responsibilities he held, the values and ideas he absorbed and the figures who influenced him — shaped his character. The chapter notes that these stages were rich in valuable experience, as His Highness grew up under the care of the late Sheikh Zayed, a school in himself whose lessons remain for anyone who wants to learn how states are built, advanced and protected, and was raised by a mother distinguished among women leaders worldwide, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Nation”, with all she represents of strong will, leadership, love of country, humanity, boundless giving and far-sighted vision.
Chapter Three, “The Strategic Vision of National Security in the Thought of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan”, explains that this vision stems from a combination of personal skills and the academic and practical experience His Highness gained throughout his life, with the Armed Forces at its heart, which explains the priority of national security in his political thought. The author stresses that the UAE Armed Forces are the foremost school of patriotism and the forge of strong men, where loyalty to the homeland and the leadership is embodied and the meaning of sacrifice is reinforced, as well as a school for positive values, national integration and the preparation of capable leaders able to take courageous decisions in the most difficult times.
Chapter Four, “The Pillars of the Philosophy of Development in the Thought of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan”, addresses the role of leadership in development and in the efficient management of the state’s resources. The author sees leadership as key to explaining development, given its role not only in setting development policies and goals but also in engaging with the people and responding quickly to their needs. The chapter presents His Highness as a model of inspiring leadership with modern development thinking and extensive policy-making experience, gained through the many political, legislative, economic and military responsibilities he has held, through which he formulated a comprehensive, multi-stage vision of development for the UAE.
Chapter Five, “Maker of the Future”, discusses His Highness’s role in shaping the UAE’s developmental future and his strong belief in science and planning as essential foundations for any successful development and transition to the future, keeping pace with global technological change. The chapter stresses that His Highness’s vision of the future is inseparable from his vision of the UAE’s place among advanced economies, in pursuit of the “model state” that knows its path and pursues it with confidence towards comprehensive and sustainable development, opportunities for the next generation and a productive base for the future. It also considers His Highness’s address at the opening of the third Government Summit in Dubai in 2015, “Leading Government Services”, a roadmap for the UAE’s next fifty years.
Chapter Six, “His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan: The Humane Leader”, focuses on the deep humanitarian dimension of His Highness’s character, noting that the ethical system behind his political practice is the product of the noble human values Sheikh Zayed instilled in his sons. The chapter reviews His Highness’s humanitarian imprint locally, regionally and internationally, and affirms that the title “Pride of the Emirates”, given to him by his people, is well deserved: he has become a model of the leader who combines leadership qualities with deep humanity, humility, dignity and overwhelming popular affection.
In the seventh and final chapter, “His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan: Pride of Arabism”, the author traces His Highness’s record in supporting fellow Arab nations and safeguarding Arab national security since the unrest of 2011 and the fall of governments in pivotal Arab states, when the threats facing Arab and Gulf security peaked. His Highness emerged as a firm Arab leadership with a clear strategic vision for regional security and stability, and his resolute stance against extremism, terrorism and chaos played a decisive role in restoring stability to the region after the so-called “Arab Spring”. The chapter affirms that His Highness does not hesitate to take firm and decisive decisions when the UAE’s national security, its supreme interests or Arab national security are at stake, and that he has shown remarkable skill in planning, execution and crisis and risk management, sparing the UAE and the other GCC states the dangers of fragmentation, conflict and sectarian strife.
In the conclusion, the author summarises the book’s main findings and offers his own observations as guidance for researchers interested in Emirati affairs.
This is the second book by Emirati writer and researcher Dr. Salem Alketbi, who holds a doctorate in political science and has taken part in numerous international conferences, seminars and workshops. His publications and research cover, among other subjects, the Palestinian cause and the UAE’s support for the Palestinians, the philosophy of Emirati humanitarian aid, UAE national security, and Arab and international affairs. He has published hundreds of articles on extremist organisations, terrorism, UAE foreign policy, the Iranian file and international relations, with a focus on analytical and strategic depth.
From the launch and presentations
