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Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan3rd President of the United Arab Emirates Flag from May 14, 2022
Date of Birth: 11.03.1961
Country:  UAE |
Content:
- Early Life
- Education
- Military Career
- Accession to Power
- Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
- Sporting Interests
- Marriage and Family
- Accolades and Recognition
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan: The Third President of the United Arab Emirates
Early Life
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was born on March 11, 1961, in Al Ain, then known as Trucial Oman. He is the third son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first President of the UAE, and his third wife, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi.
Education
At the age of 14, Sheikh Mohammed was sent to Morocco by his father to pursue his education. He lived under a false name, concealing his royal status. He worked as a waiter in a local restaurant to support himself.
Sheikh Mohammed later attended schools in his hometown of Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. He then spent summers at Gordonstoun, a British boarding school attended by generations of British royals.
Upon his return to the Emirates, his father hired an Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood scholar named Ezzedine Ibrahim to tutor him in Islamic studies. He also completed a course at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, graduating in 1979.
Military Career
After graduating from Sandhurst, Sheikh Mohammed served in various positions within the UAE Armed Forces, including as an officer in the Amiri Guard (now known as the Presidential Guard) and as a pilot in the UAE Air Force.
Accession to Power
Sheikh Mohammed became the de facto ruler of Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a whole in 2014, following the stroke suffered by his elder brother, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He has been the Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi since 2004.
In 2019, Sheikh Mohammed was named the third President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, succeeding Sheikh Khalifa.
Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
Sheikh Mohammed is known for his active role in foreign policy and diplomacy. He has been a key figure in the UAE's efforts to strengthen ties with other Arab nations, as well as with the United States and Europe.
In 2015, he launched the Mohammed bin Zayed Initiative for Human Fraternity to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding.
Sporting Interests
Sheikh Mohammed is an avid falconry enthusiast. He founded the Mohammed bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Peregrine Fund to preserve and promote the ancient tradition.
He is also a supporter of the Special Olympics and was instrumental in bringing the World Special Olympics to Abu Dhabi in 2019.
Marriage and Family
Sheikh Mohammed is married to Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan. They have nine children together: four sons and five daughters.
Accolades and Recognition
Sheikh Mohammed has received numerous accolades and recognition for his leadership and contributions to the UAE and the wider region. He was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2019. The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center ranked him as the eighth most influential Muslim in the world in 2023.
