Until 50 years ago, the UAE, as a group of tribal monarchies in the Arabian Peninsula desert, has completely changed.
Nearly half a century later, where there were mostly open bazaars and tent-like houses, skyscrapers and fine highways can be seen.
Where once palms were cultivated, pearls were sought from the sea, and camels were bred to make a living, now the largest art museum in the Arabian Peninsula, the Lorraine in Paris and the University of New York. Branches of the Sorbonne University in Paris have opened.
Today there are the world's tallest building, the (seven star) hotel, the world's most expensive painting (Leonardo da Vinci's Savior of the World painting) and the world's largest shopping centers.
Not only that, but they are among the few countries in the world that have sent their missions into space, as well as being the first country to have four and a half working days in offices.
Thanks to its oil wells between the Arab countries, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country of strong integration of innovation and technology, has become a gateway between East and West.
A great world power
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who died last month, is one of the leaders in the Middle East who has not hesitated to point out the changes that have taken place in the region in less than half a century.
Were Abu Dhabi's richest man and ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, considered the world's richest man, has been the second president of the United Arab Emirates and a controversial figure who has put his country on the world map for regional development.
After a stroke in 2014, he stopped doing normal work in the government, but his presence was visible everywhere.
His pictures were seen everywhere in hotel lobbies, government offices and even in shops and restaurants.
Surprisingly, oversight of government affairs passed into the hands of his brother, Muhammad bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is thought to have been the head of the UAE's foreign policy for the past decade.
Now he has become the president of the country. How did this family of sheikhs transform their country from a tribal state to the most powerful in the Middle East?
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| Camel race |
How did the UAE come to be?
By the end of the 1960's, Britain had begun withdrawing from its colonies in the Arabian Peninsula.
The British arrived a century ago when some tribal warriors looted cargo ships passing through. The British came there to control them.
Although oil was discovered there, the British fled the country when they saw the danger in staying there.
The main reason behind this was the decision of the sheikhs of six emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah) to form a council for the settlement and coordination of mutual affairs.
In December 1971, all six emirates united to form a new sovereign state, the United Arab Emirates. A few months later, another emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, joined them, which is still on the map of the United Arab Emirates.
The then Emir of Abu Dhabi, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (the caliph's father and Muhammad) was elected the country's first president.
Oil was discovered, and massive investments were made in the economy and the process of raising public money began. The process was similar to other Sunni countries in the Persian Gulf (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait).
Historian Rory Miller in 'From Deserts Kingdom to Global Power - The Rise of the Arab Gulf' claims that the reason behind the huge economic success of these countries is the distribution of oil revenues among different stakeholders and immovable assets such as real estate. , Art and stock conversion drive.
Jabal Ali Free Zone
Among other Gulf countries, the UAE has managed to enrich itself in a very short period of time with the highest growth and highest per capita income.
Oil was not equally available to all emirates, but it became the biggest driving force behind Abu Dhabi's growth, with its abundance of oil becoming the biggest weapon in the UAE's economic growth success.
As a semi-autonomous emirate, their ability to strengthen them through changes in economic and development plans played a major role in boosting their economy.
Some emirates focused on tourism, others devised strategies to attract foreign investment, and so in 1985, the Jabal Ali Free Zone, a major trading port and commercial center on the outskirts of Dubai, was established.
Almost 40 years after its inception, it is still the largest free trade area in the world. Today it has grown many times over. It is the largest port in the Middle East.
It is also the best port in the Middle East for 24 consecutive years. Connected by water, air and land, the port is playing a key role in the UAE economy today.
There are tax breaks, customs duty benefits and ease of investment for foreign owners. It was the vision of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE, that enabled his country to stand out on the world map by the end of the 20th century.
However, many disagree that the vision for the new century is the religion of Sheikh Zayed and his half-brother.
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| Zayd bin Sultan Al Nahyan |
New Century: What did the Sheikh do for the development of the UAE?
The biggest challenge facing the second president of the United Arab Emirates was how to deal with the financial crisis that hit Dubai in 2008.
Billions of dollars of bailout funds were poured into the UAE, which led to the construction of the world's tallest tower, the Burj Dubai, which was renamed the Burj Khalifa at its official inauguration in January 2010.
It also used its oil wealth to attract cultural and educational centers and to improve its image abroad. Whether public or private, UAE money has been invested in big companies, big real estate, financial institutions, big brands and even football clubs (like Manchester City).
The UAE has also invested in the construction of some of the most expensive buildings in the West in recent years. Sheikh Khalifa sought to promote investment in renewable energy research to reduce economic growth's dependence on oil.
However, he encouraged investment in oil and gas in view of exports. Last year, the UAE announced a zero carbon emissions target by 2050. At the same time, they have continued to build the low-carbon city of Masdar during this period.
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| Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed |
Criticism of human rights violation
Critics of the government say oil development has failed to build a society where human rights are respected.
Numerous international organizations have criticized the UAE for its border-bound society, where the press or groups have no freedom, and critics of the system are imprisoned and sometimes even killed. Is. Amnesty International wrote in its 2021 report that the UAE government continues to commit serious human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, inhumane treatment in prisons, freedom of expression and the right to privacy.
Although it is the highest per capita income country in the Middle East, it is generally considered to be home to between 20,000 and 100,000 people, who are deprived of rights such as health, housing, education and employment opportunities.
Which other people have. Recently, the most significant impact of the UAE's influence on the world stage was seen at the time of the death of Sheikh Khalifa.
While US Vice President Kamala Harris was sent to his funeral, countries such as Cuba and India declared official mourning. Abu Dhabi Investment Council is one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world.
The Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute estimates that it has a combined capital of 700 700 billion.
Muhammad ibn Zayd ibn Sultan al-Nahyan was under his shadow before his brother's death, but he has been seen as an Arab leader ever since.
He tried his best to spread the influence of his country to remote areas. The UAE is the first modern Arab state to send troops to Europe. In 1999, it sent troops to Kosovo in support of NATO. Then came the issue of Afghanistan.
The UAE military worked with NATO there, then played a role in crushing the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and sent its warplanes to Libya in 2011 on a mission against Muammar Gaddafi.
A few years later, he joined a US-led air strike in Syria and became involved in a strategic conflict with Turkey that spread to Somalia, Sudan, Djibouti and Somaliland.
In a controversial decision, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan decided to join the Saudi-led invade in Yemen. He also sent troops to Bahrain and decided to impose sanctions on Qatar and other Gulf neighbors.
However, in the invade in Yemen, the UAE faced considerable international criticism for its serious human rights violations.
There, its troops were accused not only of numerous human rights abuses, but also of being affiliated with the local extremist organization Al Qaeda.
Today they are also allies of Greece and Cyprus. He is working with Israel and Egypt in the Eastern Mediterranean against Turkey's energy claims.
However, today's powerful country consisted of only a few tribal states almost 50 years ago.
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