As part of its initiatives in the Year of Zayed, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has organized, on Wednesday, an event entitled "Vision of Zayed - Beacon of Hearts and Minds", at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi. It was attended by Dr. Mariam Hareb Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Control Sector, H.E. Mohammed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, representatives of the Emirates Heritage Club (EHC) and General Directorate of Penal and Correctional Institutions, TV presenter Hilal Khalifa, and a number of ADFCA's leaders and employees. The event aimed at recalling the achievements of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah have mercy upon him, in areas of agriculture, environment and human renaissance. It also highlighted lessons derived from his biography, which it is the cornerstone for construction, development, excellence and leadership in serving the nation and the citizen.
During the event, Dr. Mariam Al Suwaidi, welcomed the participants, stressing the distinguished status of the Year of Zayed in the hearts of all, due to its good meanings that commemorate a memory cherished by all of us. It is a memory of an exceptional leader whose name was always associated with the noble values and good deeds "Zayed of Giving".
"The founding father who made history and inculcated goodness, tolerance and justice in the community, and his achievements in building the Emirati person and the homeland will remain alive. He is an example of wisdom, will and determination, and the wise leadership is continuing his march of glory, success and excellence," Al Suwaidi noted.
"The Year of Zayed initiative sent a message to the world that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah forgive him, had built a nation and written a new history for the region. His policies achieved a real renaissance in the region. This renaissance has become a model of growth, development and the use of resources to serve people. His legacy is engraved in the conscience of the world and made the moral and human values, goodness and giving as a life style for all generations," she said.
Dr. Al Suwaidi added that ADFCA, since the launch of this initiative earlier this year, has worked hard to organize a number of valuable initiatives and events. Those activities were dedicated to several objectives, such as highlighting the role of late Sheikh Zayed, may Allah have mercy upon him, in founding the UAE, laying the foundations of the UAE's modern renaissance and its local, regional and international accomplishments.
"In addition to immortalizing late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's character, principles and values, being one of the greatest leaders and most inspiring figures around the world, the authority's activities also aimed to shed the light on the position of the late leader as an icon of nationalism and patriotism. Moreover, another objective for those activities was to immortalize the late leader's inherited projects and initiatives that serve the future and consist with his vision and values," she clarified.
The event also included a panel session with H.E. Mohammed Al Fahim, moderated by the Emirati TV presenter Hilal Khalifa. During the session, Al Fahim pointed out the role of the founding father in building the State and the Emirati person. He highlighted his efforts in raising the standard of living in Abu Dhabi, and his unique achievements in various fields, which served as the foundations of the UAE's modern renaissance.
Al Fahim recalled the prominent situations of the founding father and his great accomplishments in achieving sustainable development in the UAE. He noted that the happiness of citizens and residents alike remains the priority of the wise leadership.
The event also featured cultural and artistic shows, including the presentation of a short film by a female employee, the organization of a heritage exhibition, and the distribution of a number of the EHC's publications to the participants.
At the end of the event, Dr. Mariam Al Suwaidi has honored the guests and participants, giving them certificates of thanks and appreciation. She stressed the importance of such activities in deepening the sense of patriotism and deriving lessons from the honorable biography of the founding father, may Allah have mercy upon him. Al Suwaidi added that those activities motivate all to contribute to supporting the march of renaissance and comprehensive development witnessed by the UAE.