Zayed

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Zayed became Ruler’s Repre- of life including social services, much attention to the conserva- Nahyan, the founding father of sentative in the Eastern Region health, education, technology tion of natural environment and the UAE, died on the 19th day of Abu Dhabi and transformed and trade. Loved by the people, wildlife. Throughout his life he of Ramadan, 1425 (2004). He is and modernised Al Ain before Sheikh Zayed is fondly referred launched projects on preserving buried in the courtyard of the taking over the rule of Abu Dha- to as “Baba (Father) Zayed”. such species as the Arabian oryx Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in bi. Throughout his rule, Sheikh One of his philosophies was that and the Arabian gazelle. Abu Dhabi. Born in 1918, he was Zayed’s vision and philosophy the resources of the country Upon Sheikh Zayed’s passing, his the Ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1966 turned the UAE into one of the should be fully used for the ben- son, Sheikh Khalifa, was elected to 2004 and the first President of most successful nations in the efit of the people, with special to succeed him as President of the the country that became known Middle East and a powerful play- care given to women and their United Arab Emirates. as the United Arab er in regional and international rights. They benefited from Emirates on De- events. Under his leadership, education, employment and cember 2, 1971. the UAE developed suc- equality. Sheikh Zayed In 1946, Sheikh cessfully in all areas also dedicated

ZamZam water Zakat

The zamzam is believed by in the barren land where there lost, since Allah, who has com- Zakat, or alms giving, is an act can get confusing. It is not, for Muslims to be a source of water were no other signs of life. manded you, is with us.” To feed obligatory in to those example, payable on women’s from God that was revealed to His wife hurried after him and her hungry child in a valley with who can afford it. It is one of the jewellery. While zakat can be the Prophet Ibrahim in . asked: “Where are you going, no other people, food or water, five pillars of Islam and dates paid at any time of the year, many According to scripture, Prophet Ibrahim, leaving us in the bar- she started running from the top back to the time of the Prophet people choose to pay it in Rama- Ibrahim set out on a long jour- ren valley?” He remained silent of Asafa to the end of Al Marwa Ibrahim. Today it is no longer a dan because the rewards are ney with his wife, Hajar, and his and continued walking. She seven times. When she reached simple calculation. Globally, the thought to be double. It is told son Ishmael. They walked until repeated the question and again Al Marwa for the last time, An- most common categories of that the Prophet Mohammed was they reached Mecca. he was silent. Finally she un- gel hit the ground and wealth on which it is based are more generous in the holy month Upon Allah’s commandment, derstood. She asked: “Did Allah the zamzam waters flowed out. cash in hand, stocks, bank ac- and said: “Whoever performs an Prophet Ibrahim walked away command you to leave us here?” Because of the water, what was counts and pension funds. The obligatory act during [Ramadan], leaving his family with just a He told her yes. Upon that, she once barren desert became the amount due is 2.5 per cent of its it is as one who performed 70 ob- small amount of food and water said: “We are not going to be flourishing city of Mecca. combined value, but even this ligations at other times.”