SHEIKH ZAYED ON NEWSWEEK`S LIST OF TRAILBLAZING LEADERS

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late
president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been named by Newsweek magazine
as one of the leaders who have transformed their respective countries while in
power.

Fondly remembered as the "Father of UAE", he was listed along with Nelson
Mandela of South Africa, Deng Xiaoping (China), Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt), Kim
Dae-jung (South Korea), Margaret Thatcher (Britain) and Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva (Brazil), among others.

Titled "Transformers - When Leaders Radically Remake Their Countries", the
article alluded to Sheikh Zayed's roots and his contributions to this Gulf
state.

"Although he was born in a tent at an isolated oasis on the Arabian
peninsula in 1918, Zayed created the blueprint for the United Arab Emirates as a
modern, relatively tolerant regional economic powerhouse," it said.

The article also mentioned his role in liberalising policies on women's
rights and promoting religious tolerance.

Known for his generosity, moderation and diplomacy, Sheikh Zahed was at the
helm of the country for 33 years, from the formation of the UAE in 1971 until
his death in November 2004.

He was credited for overseeing the development of all the emirates, using
oil revenues to develop education, healthcare and national infrastructure, among
others.
-- BERNAMA