His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, honored on Monday, Lt. General H.H Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, who was chosen as ‘Personality of the Year for Family Cohesion and Social Security’ by the Arab Family Organization (AFO). The first edition of the organization’s award is held this year under the theme "With Family Cohesion, we rise and progress."
In a ceremony held by the AFO at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, His Highness Ruler of Sharjah lauded the social and humanitarian efforts exerted by H.H Sheikh Saif bin Zayed. Moreover, he praised Sheikh Zayed’s permanent support to build strong families and maintain the social fabric, so as to enhance social cohesion and solidarity. H.H Sheikh Al Qasimi also praised the award and the selection of H.H Sheikh Saif bin Zayed as AFO’s ‘Personality of the Year for family cohesion and social security’, organized in collaboration with the Arab League, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
It is noteworthy that the Supreme Committee for the Arab Family Organization’s Award has chosen Lt. General H.H Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior to receive this prestigious award, upon the vote of several institutions, bodies, ministries and departments dealing with family affairs in the UAE and across all Arab countries and friendly organizations. This tribute comes in recognition of H.H’s dedicated efforts and his humanitarian mark in the field of family safety and security.
For his part, Lt. General H.H Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan indicated that the real merit should be given to the founder of the UAE society, and head of the large Emirati family, the kind and loving late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, founder of the State: "We have been blessed with a wise leadership, which gave first priority and dedication to the Emirati family, with a firm belief in the vital role of the family to ensure stability and development of the country. The social security and stability witnessed by our beloved country reflect the keenness of this leadership," he stated.
H.H added: “Late Sheikh Khalifa, God rests his soul, instructed us to dedicate the utmost attention and care to the Emirati family; as the first line of defense to protect society. For this end, we are and will be endeavoring, God willing, to promote family cohesion, by all available means.”
Lt. General H.H Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan thanked His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, for his kind patronage and attendance of the event, praising his efforts in the various humanitarian, cultural and social areas. Moreover, he valued the positive role played by the Arab Family Organization in highlighting the initiatives aimed to promote family cohesion, by establishing fair competition between Arab leaders and institutions, and shedding light on the leading and influential role of the Arab family.
Concluding, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “Today, we can confirm that the Emirati family has managed to withstand the challenges posed by globalization and openness, thanks to the Emirati society’s positive values, customs and traditions deeply rooted in the Arab-Islamic civilization."
The Arab Family Organization Award set up its objectives by launching a creative cultural project, which aims to enhance attention towards the Arab family, and highlight the role of the Arab Family Organization as the one and only Arab institution, dealing with family affairs and concerns across the Arab World. It also aims to attract purposeful ideas, projects and programs,