ABU DHABI ROYALS BIOGRAPHIES

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A biography of Al Nahyan


The rise of the Emirate Abu Dhabi

The first reference we know today about Bani Yas in Wahat Lywa is due to the year 1633 , the days of Al Yaareba country as mentioned in the old Omanian manuscript " Kashf Algoma Aljamea Liakhbor Aloma " by the historian Saeed Bin Sarhan .

The discovery of Abu Dhabi is attributed to the immigration of the tribe individuals from Wahat Lywa to Abu Dhabi since 1761 where Yas and his sons could build 20 houses in the area .

One day ,in 1769 ,an important man from Bani Yas' tribe was exploring a deserted island searching for water and exercising shooting ,the hobby which obsessed the Arab of the Gulf and the Arab Island . As he was wandering ,an antelope appeared suddenly ,so he aimed his gun at the deer and wounded it and when he approached the deer ,he found out a source of fresh water ; then he returned happy to his people and it was one of the glorious days .

Since that day ,the Sheikh of Bani Yas' tribe called this island Abu Dhabi. He prohibited others to enter the island and defended against invaders .

The number of population and buildings grew more in Abu Dhabi . There were about 400 houses . The Sheiks of Al Bu Falah continued to manage the interior matters of the government from Wahat Lywa until Sheikh Shakhbout considered Abu Dhabi as a capital in 1793 .

Al Sheikh / Issa Bin Nahyan

He was the first ruler of Al Nahyan . This took place when water was discovered in Abu Dhabi in 1761 . Sheikh Essa Bin Nahyan could gather Beni Yas and their allies under his authority . By doing this ,he was able to rise the first political existence in Abu Dhabi .

Al Sheikh / Zyab Bin Issa

Sheik Zyab is considered the real founder of Abu Dhabi. Inspire of that , he did not live in it . He was just in dealing matters , and determined Sahl Al hamra ,which is suited in the North of Al zafra ,as a place of his residence. He used to come to Abu Dhabi to see how people lived and solve their problems. His rule did not last long and died at a time when Al Bu Falah were in need for quietness and stability .

Al Sheikh / Shakhbout Bin Zyab

He become the ruler during the period from 1793-1816 .

He was wide - minded leader and during his period ,the leadership of Al Bu Falah was established .

Through his solid attitudes ,Sheikh Shakhbout could share in resisting the foreign attacks that Oman was exposed to by the outer forces . He allied with Al Bu Saeed ,the rulers of Mascat ,and established the beginning of an age of intimacy and friendship among the rulers of Al Nahyan and Al Bu Saeed .

At this period ,and during the crowd of historical events that prevailed the area ,Sheikh Shakhbout Bin Zayab proceeded a courageous step that had on economical and political effect on life in Abu Dhabi. He shifted the center of his rule from Lywa to the city which started to establish in the island of Abu Dhabi. In his time ,fishing and diving flourished ; blessings increased ,and the influence of Bani Yas extended towards the North across the coast from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and in the East up to Wahat Al Bereimi where the two tribes, Al Zwaher and Al Naeem ,had lived .

In 1833 ,the last days of his life ,Shrikh Shakbout had been contemporary with the transference of Al Bu Falasa tribe to Dubai under the leadership of Al Maktoum to Dubai and they settled there . Through his wisdom ,Sheikh Shakhbout could stop the conflict between his son Khalifa and Al Bu Falasa in Dubai .

Sheikh / Mohammed Bin Shakhbout

In 1816 , Sheikh Shakhbout abdicated the rule to his son Sheikh Mohammed ,but Sheikh Mohammed ,did not last long in his rule ;so his brother ,Shirkh Tahnoun ,held the rule in 1818 . This had been done by the agreement of Sheikh Shakhbout Bin Zyab ,their father ,and the rest of Bani Yas tribe .

Sheikh /Tahnoun Bin Shakhbout

In 1818 , Tahnoun Bin Shakhbout disposed his brother Sheikh Mohammed ,and Sheikh Shakhbout himself had already agreed this behavior as well as the majority of Bani Yas tribe .

Sheikh Tahnoun had a strong personality, active and hardworking man. In his time, Abu Dhabi had become one of the most important powers on the coast of Oman. Tahnoun was supported by Bani Yas and he continued to be the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi, but he shared the rule with his father by sending him to the important missions. Sheikh Tahnoun had been well known as a supporter of right , the reason why his tribe loved him . Sheikh Tahnoun could from an army of 400 soldiers. On April 1833 ,the date of his death ,Abu Dhabi was representing a big war and political power in the South East of the Arab Island .

Sheikh / Khalifa Bin Shakhbout

Sheikh Shakhbout assumed the rule of Abu Dhabi from his brother Tahnoun . His rule lasted from 1833 up to 1845 . Before he was a pointed , Abu Dhabi witnessed unstable period of conflict between him and his brother Sultan . In the beginning, they both ruled until Sheikh Khalifa could handle the rule a lone.

Through the conflict, Al Bu Falasa separated from Bani Yas during the season of pearl ;so they went to Dubai to become the only rulers there . In his time , Abu Dhabi lived a biulliant age that had never existed before . In this concern ,Lawrines in his book ,Dalil Al Khaleej ,say s: " He had been a good ruler of Abu Dhabi ,and through his coverage ,firmness and resolution ,he could raise Abu Dhabi to a remarkable rank .

Sheikh . Saeed Bin Tahnoun

Sheikh Saeed ruled from 1845 up to 1855 . During these years , Abu Dhabi had recurred nard years in facing foreign dangers ,but he could defend the rights of his country and preserve its lands exactly as his ancestors from Al Nahyan did .

Sheikh Saeed was well known of his strength, solidity and will power. Through his wisdom, he could attract Al Zawaher , Al Naeme tribes and others .

Before Sheikh Saeed holds the rule , power stayed under the control of Mohammed Bin Humeid and Rasheed Bin Fadl ,as they both put an end to the political disorder .

When Sheikh Saeed returned, he was nominated to rule because he was the wisest and the most suitable for this position ; so he became the ruler without any resistance.

Sheikh / Zayed Bin Khalifa . Zayed the eldest.



On June 1855 Al Nahyan family selected Al Sheikh . Zayed Bin Khalifa , who was twenty years old ,to succeed his cousin Skeikh Saeed Bin Tahnoun ,who succeeded in flourishing quietness ,stability and coherence a mong tribes .

Historians described Sheikh Zayed as being wise , patient ,good - minded and dignified . These voituesenabled him to understand the political changes and this helped him to continue in his rule from 1855 up to 1909 .

The age of the old Zayed had also witnessed important events that affected the history of Abu Dhabi . When he was elected to be the rule, the way was not clear . By his shrewdness and knowledge , Zayed could overcome obstacles and exceed difficulties by making friendship between Bani Yas and Al Kawasem . He made peace and cooperation with them . Sheikh Zayed ,the old ,cooperated also with Al Maktoum in Dubai . He directed towards Breimi where he established his influence. Through his knowledge, he could stop the immigration of Al Kbeisat outside Abu Dhabi by allowing people to go back and giving them back all their properties .

In his age ,traditional relations became stronger between Abu Dhabi and Oman and ruler visited each other . Mr. Persi Koks mentioned in many positions of his memories the important authorities of Sheikh Zayed as follows: "Zayed Bin Khalifa remained ,up to the last day of his life in 1909 ,practicing his supreme authorities during the last thirty years of his rule . No one of Al Bu Falah rulers had ever practiced the same authority that Zayed achieved in the East of the Arab Island " .

On the side of reformation, Abu Dhabi community witnessed a noticable development in the different fields of politics, economy and society . Trade flourished and agriculture witnessed improvement.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa efforts were not only in developing political and economical aspects of society but it Lead also to development in educational and mental aspects of life. The explores and historian ( Larens Man was the best to describe Zayed when he said : " The instant Sheikh of Abu Dhabi ,Al Sheikh / Zayed Bin Khalifa is ruling an extensive and he is the strongest personality in the emirates of the coast ; and his power extends to Breimi . "

The old Sheikh Zayed had built the majestic Al Jahili citadel in 1898 which is still considered a great and archeological masterpiece.

Kelly says: " Zayed the ruler, was the strongest of all Sheikhs . He had expanded his power in the largest part of the interior land neighboring the coast of Oman up to Al Zahira area where he become superior to the authority of Sultan Al Bu Saeed.

The old Zayed died in 1909 leaving Abu Dhabi , the symbol of order and security, as a deposit in the hands of his sons and grandsons .

Sheikh / Khalifa Bin Zayed



On the death of Al Sheikh / Zayed Bin Khalifa , it was agreed ,in Al Nahyan Family Council ,that the eldest son Sheikh Khalifa would succeed his father because of his wisdom ,good - minded and his strong personality as his father . Also belongs, from the side of his mother, to Al manaseer in Lywa . But Sheikh Khalifa did not accept to succeed his father, so Al Sheikh Tahnoun , the second son of the old Sheikh Zayed was selected to be the ruler .

Sheikh / Tahnoun Bin Zayed

The ruler of Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed last only three years from 1909 up to 1912 . Abu Dhabi in his period ,witnessed on economical welfare . He shared Abu Dhabi people in diving in the Gulf searching for pearl. At that time , they had more than 410 boots and the numbers of workers from Abu Dhabi was 20 % of the number of the divers in the Gulf area . Delma Island has become an inhabited area.

Sheikh /Hamdan Bin Zayed

On the death of Sheikh / Tahnoun Bin Zayed , Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed was nominated again to rule Abu Dhabi ,but he refused again as he had refused at the first time ,so his brother Al Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed held the rule from 1922 . During these ten years , Abu Dhabi could live a complete period of stability ,piece and progress as a result of the flourishing trade of pearl .

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed was well known of his foreignness, patience and generosity .

As a result , all the bribes of Abu Dhabi loved him very much and they still remember him up to now.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed



Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed ruled the country for five years from 1922 up to 1926 . He continued to have good relations with his neighbors the princes of Oman Coast . His wisdom and coverage appeared " early when a dispute tool place between some people of Oman and some tribes of Abu Dhabi . By his shrewdness and ability he could put an end to that matter.

After the death of his father, the old Zayed , Sheikh Sultan built a place to the East of Al Ain. This palace is still there up to now and on its door written the date of building 3 Shaban 1328 B.C that is in 1910.

Sheikh Sultan showed a great interest in agriculture and irrigation and ordered to dig Falaj Al moegee that had taken two years and resulted in the prosperity of Al moegee village.

Sheikh /Saker Bin Zayed

Sheikh Saker succeed Sheikh Sultan who had died on 4 August 1926 . His sule did not last long to an extent that he did only few things .

Sheikh /Shakhbout Bin Sultan

Sheikh Shakhbout is the first grandson of the eldest Sheikh Zayed who ruled the Emirate of Abu Dhabi . His period of rule lasted thirty-eight years from 1928 up to 1966. He was the eldest of Sheikh Sultan's sons.

He held the rule when he was twenty-two years old. His rule was distinguished by quietness and peace because of the oath taken by the members of Al Nahyan. Sheikha Salama , the mother of Sheikh Shakhbout ,was the one who made them take this oath because of the disorder that prevailed the Emirate at that time.

Sheikh Shakhbout had given much care of the drinking water in Abu Dhabi. In his age , the first line of pipes of drinking water had been done from Al Sad area ,near Al Ain to Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Shakhbout gave up the rule to his brother Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan on the 6th of August 1966.
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BIOGRAPHY OF SHEIKH ZAYED

In 1918, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan was born into the Al Nahyan family,
who had ruled the emirate of Abu Dhabi for hundreds of years. He was the youngest of the four sons of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, who ruled Abu Dhabi from 1922 – 1926. When Sheikh Sultan’s successor died in 1928, Sheikh Zayed’s eldest brother, Sheikh Shakhbut, was elected by the family to be ruler.

At that time, Abu Dhabi was practically anonymous internationally. It was a part of the Trucial States, in treaty relations with Britain and its economy was based around fishing and pearl diving on the coast and basic agriculture at its intermittent oases inland.

When Sheikh Zayed was a child, education was scarce. He received instruction in the principles of Islam and memorised much of the Holy Qur’an, however, and always demonstrated a voracious appetite for knowledge. This led him to accompany the Bedouin tribesmen into the desert, wanting to absorb the life and heritage of the people.

It was at this time that he first experienced falconry, which was to become a lifelong passion. He particularly enjoyed the camaraderie of hunting expeditions, “away from the clamour of the city and the monotony of daily life.”* Apart from hunting, he learned how to shoot, how to ride a camel, how to track and how to find sweet water under the desert sands. In short, he fully experienced Bedouin life. He began to develop a love and understanding of the natural environment and the need to ensure sustainable use of its resources. Perhaps most crucially though, it was here that he began to gain the trust and respect of the Bedouin tribesmen, which later enabled him to garner their support on issues that were essential to the establishment of unity.

When the first oil company surveyors came to Sheikh Shakhbut in the early 1930’s, requesting a guide, the comprehensive knowledge of the country and its inhabitants that Sheikh Zayed had gained from his travels made him the obvious choice. Here, Sheikh Zayed had his first contact with the industry which would so dramatically affect the lives of himself and of his people.

In 1946, a new representative of the ruler of Abu Dhabi was needed in Al Ain. Despite his relative youth, the respect which Sheikh Zayed commanded locally made him Sheikh Shakhbut’s first choice for the position. Under his leadership, the nine villages comprising Al Ain began to develop and to integrate into a township.

The most famous of his achievements in Al Ain was the revision of local water ownership, to ensure a more equitable distribution and so to irrigate more land. As an example to others, Sheikh Zayed surrendered the rights of his own family. Agricultural production began to flourish, as did the local economy.

Throughout this time, Sheikh Zayed evolved his leadership skills, preferring to base his decisions on consultation, not confrontation. As Al Ain developed, so too did his vision. He ordered the planting of ornamental trees, now matured and marking Al Ain as one of the greenest Arabian cities; a forerunner of the huge forestation programme of later years.

He also dealt with territorial disputes, not only amongst the local tribes, but also with Saudi Arabia, who laid claim to the 3 Al Ain villages under Omani rule, thus developing diplomatic skills which would prove to be of great benefit.

In 1962, Abu Dhabi exported its first cargo of crude oil, starting an economic revolution. The people began to look forward to the benefits already being enjoyed in other parts of the Gulf and Sheikh Zayed was determined that they would receive them and that the facilities he had enviously eyed on his 1953 visit to Britain and France, such as schools and hospitals, would be established in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Shakhbut, however, accustomed to the previous decades of economic hardship, was slow to approve spending on public development, much to the frustration of his family. Eventually, they persuaded him to step down and allow them to name his successor. On August 6th, 1966, Sheikh Zayed became Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

Within weeks a massive development programme was underway. Schools, hospitals, roads and housing were constructed and some of the dreams of the people began to be realized. Zayed’s vision, though, had always extended beyond the borders of Abu Dhabi. As he had united the villages of Al Ain, so now he turned his attention to uniting the emirates.

As material proof of his dedication to unity, some of Abu Dhabi’s oil revenue was spent on the development of other emirates. This altruism continues to be a feature of his rule, illustrated by the UAE’s provision of funds for other countries, such as Bosnia, Lebanon and Yemen.

In 1968, Britain announced that it would withdraw from the area before the end of 1971. Sheikh Zayed and the late Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum took the lead in calling for a federation of the emirates, Bahrain and Qatar. When the latter two opted out, the rulers of the emirates moved quickly and on the 2nd December, 1971, the United Arab Emirates formally emerged onto the international stage.

While Sheikh Zayed himself always attempts to share credit for the remarkable ensuing developments with his fellow members of the Supreme Council of Rulers (comprising the ruler of each of the seven emirates) no-one doubts that, without his wisdom and guidance, they would never have happened. The Supreme Council itself has recognised this by re-electing Sheikh Zayed to successive five-year terms as President.

Since its establishment, the UAE has confounded international expectations by developing successfully in all areas of life; social services, health and education, communications and technology, trade and finance, at a rate almost unmatched anywhere or at any time. More importantly, these material achievements have occurred against a backdrop of political and social stability. Despite the turmoil witnessed by other countries in the region, the UAE has thrived on change, whilst retaining its culture and heritage, thanks to the direct support and involvement of the Emirati people, which is greatly due to their respect and affection for Sheikh Zayed.

His philosophies, political or otherwise, are based on his strongly held faith in Islam. From this springs his desire to treat all people equally and to support those in need.

Throughout history, few leaders can have experienced the amount of radical changes that Sheikh Zayed has witnessed. Fewer still could reflect on them in the knowledge that they chose and acted in accordance with their beliefs and for the betterment of humanity, regardless of personal cost, financial or otherwise. Sheikh Zayed has the love and admiration of his people and international recognition and respect, all of which he has earned many times over.

* - From Sheikh Zayed’s book, “Falconry – Our Arab Heritage”. 1977.
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Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan
His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan (خليفة بن زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان, born 1948) is the current president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He succeeded to the post on 3 November 2004, replacing his father Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, who had died the day before. He had effectively been acting president earlier, since his father was in ill health. He is also the hereditary emir and ruler of Abu Dhabi.

Following the establishment of the UAE on 2 December 1971, Sheikh Khalifa became deputy prime minister of the federal state under his father, who was president. In May 1976 he became deputy commander of the UAE armed forces. He also heads the Supreme Petroleum Council, which enjoys wide powers in energy matters.

Sheikh Khalifa is known for his interest in sports traditional to UAE, chiefly horse and camel racing.

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Al Nahyans tree

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H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. He became Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in November 2004 and was appointed Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces in January 2005. Later the same month, he was also promoted to the rank of General. Since December 2004, he has also been Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

Sheikh Mohammed has held many positions of authority and draws upon diverse experiences. In January 1993, H.H. was appointed Chief-of-Staff of the UAE Armed Forces and held the rank of Lieutenant General from January 24, 1994 until January 2005, when he was promoted to full General. On November 30, 2003, His Highness was appointed Deputy Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. On January 6th, 2004, H.H. was appointed the Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

H.H. completed his formal education in the UAE and England, graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1979.

His military training included courses in basic armor, basic flying, helicopter conversion, tactical flying, and basic paratroops. He also completed the Staff College course. Sheikh Mohammed's experience has encompassed commanding an armor troop, a Gazelle helicopter squadron, the Air School and the Air College, and was Commander of the UAE Air Forces and Air Defence, Deputy Chief-of-Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, and Chief-of-Staff of the UAE Armed Forces.

In addition to his military responsibilities, Sheikh Mohammed was the principal advisor on security issues to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Sheikh Mohammed is the President of the ECSSR and is a regular contributor and participant in deliberations regarding policy and legislative matters. H.H. is an active member of the Supreme Petroleum Council, which has policy jurisdiction over oil and energy issues. He is also the Head of the UAE Offset Group, which is the main economic planning institution in the UAE.

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has received numerous citations and decorations from the UAE, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Qatar, the Kingdom of Morocco, Pakistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.

Sheikh Mohammed, born in 1961, is married and the father of nine children.

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