'You are the heart of the nation, and we are truly fortunate to have you:' VP's letter to UAE President

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, shared a heartfelt letter to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

The letter, which is published in his newly released book, 'The Messages,' says: "To my brother, friend, and companion Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, May God always protect and guide you on the path of righteousness. 

You are a brother with whom I have shared Zayed's love; in you, I see his wisdom, mercy, and vision. 

I have known you as a close confidant, a friend, a leader, and an inspiration. 

I have known you as a committed leader, a source of inspiration, and a pillar of our nation. 

You are a man of your word, principle, and decisive action. 

In times of conflict, you stood as a field commander during the liberation of Kuwait and the Kosovo War. 

In crises and disasters, you have shown compassion and benevolence. 

Internationally, you have been a wise statesman who earned global respect for your leadership. 

As a leader of our nation, you’ve shown generosity to your people and guarded the future of your children. You have been compassionate and noble to all who reside on our land. 

Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, my brother, when a little girl leaves her home each day, knowing nothing of politics or economics, she goes to her school feeling safe. 

As she strolls through the streets of her homeland, she is amazed by the beauty and order around her. 

Arriving at her school, she notices messages of her country's space achievements adorning the walls, a testament to her nation's sky-high ambitions. This young girl dreams of following in these footsteps, longing to make her parents proud and someday lift her country's flag like her homeland's other heroes. 

When this child dreams with confidence and believes in her promising future within her country, it is clear that you have fulfilled your duty and realized aspirations for our nation and the generations to come. 

Instilling trust, security, and optimism 

Instilling trust, security, and optimism in our children's hearts is your greatest accomplishment, my brother. 

Congratulations to you on this homeland, my brother... and congratulations to us for having you. 

Congratulations to us for the children who attend school each day in safety, security, comfort, and peace of mind. 

Congratulations on their boundless dreams and passionate spirits. 

Congratulations on the future you are crafting for them, even before they grow up to witness it. 

My brother, Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan...The world and we observe your historic and pioneering journey. 

We witness how you've transformed ambitions into lasting institutions, ideas into dynamic projects and initiatives, and global relationships into economic, political, and investment opportunities benefiting the UAE. 

We see, my brother, how you've elevated educational institutions from basic services to crucial national priorities that shape our global standing. 

And how you've directed resources towards developing new sectors, future industries, and a solid economic foundation for the future generations of Emiratis. 

We notice, my brother, how your nation has become wiser beyond its years, more future-ready than its surrounding environment, and more resilient and steadfast amidst challenging circumstances. 

My brother Mohamed Bin Zayed, life has shown me that while cities are constructed, infrastructure rises, and facilities are developed, the true essence lies in the spirit of the nation. This spirit brings people together, maintains stability, inspires future generations, and ignites the energy of the youth. 

'Hearts come together for you' 

Today, you embody that spirit, my brother. You are the soul of the nation. Hearts come together for you, crowds gather around you, borders are safeguarded through your efforts, and people unite with a shared purpose and a vibrant national spirit. 

Life has taught me, my brother, that civilizations don't decline by accident but falter when they stop progressing and rest on past achievements. You, my brother, inherited a great legacy from Zayed but remained proactive. You fortified its stability, diversified the economy, strengthened relationships, and propelled it forward to embrace the new realms of human knowledge. 

I have learned, my brother, that the biggest threat to nations isn't external threats but the complacency that seeps into the youth when they move from a mindset of achievement to one of entitlement. You have invested in people. You have shown the youth that luxury alone cannot uphold our ancestors' legacy. Instead, diligence and discipline are pivotal for progress in our land, and that prosperity and development are duties and honours, not mere privileges or luxuries. 

You have taught the youth, my brother, that our inheritance is not a gift but a trust we must build upon before passing it on to future generations. You have instilled in them the understanding that the goal is not just to amass wealth but to nurture generations capable of creating wealth and shaping the future. 

'You carry the trust of children' 

My brother Mohamed Bin Zayed, a person is not defined by the power he holds, but by the responsibilities he embraces. Today, you carry the trust of children in their homes and foster their dreams. You hold the responsibility of nurturing a generation that will carry on the journey and safeguard the legacy. Today, you embrace the duty of a nation and the task of shaping a future for generations yet to experience it — a commitment you have made before God, history, and humanity. We witness your dedication in fulfilling this promise to its fullest. 

Alongside you, my brother, we and your people stand together on this remarkable journey, a journey that future generations will, with God's will, commemorate, and that history will record in illustrious terms. 

May God grant you success, my brother, protect you, and guide your steps on the righteous path. 

Regards," 

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum