UAE is a nation of giving, peace and security: Khalifa

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan today welcomed the initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to mark tomorrow, the 19th of Ramadan, as the Emirates Humanitarian Work Day, which also falls on the 9th death anniversary of the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, under the theme ''Love and Loyalty to Zayed: The Generous''.

"It's a kind initiative which we support and urge all - individuals and government and non-government organisations - to support and sponsor, engage and rally behind it for promoting values of goodness, nobleness and giving, which constitute core components of the Emirati national identity," the President said.

"It also glorifies the culture of human volunteerism , cooperation and solidarity whose good seed was sown by the late Sheikh Zayed, and his fellows the founding fathers. Their sons, grandsons and people of the UAE are all today pursuing their footsteps." "On this blessing day of the Holy Month of Ramadan, we remember them all with deep sense of affection and loyalty and pray that their souls rest in eternal peace for what they offered to their homeland, nation and the humanity at large. They were the generation of generosity and giving; our fathers whom we take pride in and whom we are proud of before other nations," Sheikh Khalifa added.

"We value these government and private humanitarian initiatives which swept across the country in response to the Federal Cabinet resolution to dedicate the anniversary of the late Sheikh Zayed as a celebration of the Emirates Humanitarian Work Day in remembrance of his humanitarian and charitable initiatives and works which inspire UAE people and community organisations to donate generously in support of the needy and vulnerable segments within the UAE and abroad like the Dress One Million Needy Children across the world, provision of essential needs of needy families, sponsorship of orphans, releasing indebted prisoners and other initiatives targeting education, health, children and family as well as other social and educative fields." The President paid gratitude to all those who have contributed to the success of the Day which firmly promotes the benevolent, humanitarian image of the UAE, enabling "our experiment, our State and our citizens" to earn respect and regard of the world.

Sheikh Khalifa prayed Allah to protect "Our State; the State of security, peace and decent life; the State of giving which extends its helping hand to the poor and needy everywhere."

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