Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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Sheikh Mohamed in 2024
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| 3rd President of the United Arab Emirates | |||||
| Assumed office 14 May 2022 |
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| Prime Minister | Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum | ||||
| Vice President |
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| Preceded by | Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan | ||||
| Ruler of Abu Dhabi | |||||
| Reign | 13 May 2022 – present | ||||
| Predecessor | Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan | ||||
| Heir apparent | Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan | ||||
| Born | 11 March 1961 Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Trucial States |
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| Spouse |
Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan
(m. 1981) |
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| Issue more... |
Sheikh Khaled | ||||
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| House | Al Nahyan | ||||
| Father | Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan | ||||
| Mother | Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi | ||||
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Education
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| Religion | Sunni Islam | ||||
| Military career | |||||
| Allegiance | United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Branch | United Arab Emirates Air Force | ||||
| Years of service | 1979–present | ||||
| Commands held |
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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (born 11 March 1961), also known as MbZ, is an important leader from the United Arab Emirates. He is currently the third President of the United Arab Emirates and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Mohamed studied in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. He also graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in April 1979. After his studies, he joined the UAE Armed Forces. He held many different jobs before becoming a pilot in the UAE Air Force. In 2005, he was promoted to the rank of general.
Mohamed is the third son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. His father was the first president of the UAE and the 16th ruler of Abu Dhabi. Mohamed became the crown prince of Abu Dhabi in November 2004. This happened after his father passed away and his brother, Sheikh Khalifa, became the second president of the UAE. In 2014, Sheikh Khalifa became unwell, and Mohamed took on more leadership duties. He officially became president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi on 14 May 2022, after his brother's death. In March 2023, Mohamed named his son Sheikh Khalid as the new crown prince of Abu Dhabi.
Under Mohamed's leadership, the UAE has focused on making its economy more open. This included adding a VAT in 2018 and corporate taxes. He also made some social changes. These included removing some older laws and making it easier for non-Muslims to handle personal matters in civil courts.
Mohamed is known for his strong views on regional issues. The UAE has been involved in efforts to fight groups like ISIS in Iraq and Syria. It also supported the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen for a time. The UAE signed the Abraham Accords in 2020. This agreement helped to normalize diplomatic relationships with State of Israel.
In 2019, The New York Times called him a very powerful Arab leader. Time magazine also named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in 2019. In 2023, he was ranked as one of the most influential Muslim leaders.
Contents
Family and Early Life
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was born in Al Ain on 11 March 1961. At that time, the area was known as the Trucial States.
He is the third son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. His father founded the United Arab Emirates and was its first president. Mohamed's mother is Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi.
Mohamed has 18 brothers and eleven sisters. Five of his younger full brothers are Hamdan, Hazza, Tahnoun, Mansour, and Abdullah. They are sometimes called "Bani Fatima," meaning "sons of Fatima."
Education and Important Lessons
Sheikh Mohamed went to schools in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. He also spent a summer at Gordonstoun school. When he was young, his father asked a respected scholar, Izzedine Ibrahim, to guide his education.
Mohamed later joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and finished his training in April 1979. At Sandhurst, he learned about armor, flying, and parachuting. He also trained on tactical planes and helicopters. During his time there, he became good friends with Abdullah of Pahang, who later became the King of Malaysia.
In the 1980s, as a young military officer, he visited Tanzania. He met the Masai people and saw how they lived. When he returned, his father asked him if he had helped them. Mohamed said he hadn't, because they were not Muslims. His father held his arm firmly and said, "We are all God's creatures." This lesson taught Mohamed that everyone deserves help, no matter their background.
He has held many jobs in the UAE military. These include being an officer in the Amiri Guard and a pilot in the UAE Air Force.
Political Journey
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
In November 2003, Sheikh Zayed named Mohamed as the deputy crown prince of Abu Dhabi. After his father's death, Mohamed became the crown prince of Abu Dhabi in November 2004. In January 2005, he was also made deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Later that month, he was promoted to general.
Since December 2004, he has led the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. This group plans and develops the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. He is also a member of the Supreme Petroleum Council. He also advised his older half-brother, Khalifa bin Zayed, who was the president at the time.
When Sheikh Khalifa became unwell in January 2014, Mohamed took on more leadership duties in Abu Dhabi. He welcomed many foreign leaders to the UAE capital. On 13 May 2022, he became the ruler of Abu Dhabi after his brother Khalifa passed away. The next day, on 14 May 2022, he was chosen as the president of the United Arab Emirates.
International Relations
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In 2018, Mohamed visited Ethiopia to meet Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. This visit was before the UAE gave $3 billion to Ethiopia to help with its money needs. The UAE has also helped Somalia during times of drought.
Mohamed supports Yemen's government in the civil war. The UAE was part of the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen to fight against certain groups.
United States
Mohamed sees the United States as a key ally. He has good relationships with US diplomats and experts. He often asks for their advice on fighting terrorism and improving the UAE's military.
Mohamed and former US President Donald Trump shared similar views on some topics. In August 2020, Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Sheikh Mohamed announced a historic agreement. This agreement, called the Abraham Accords, created formal diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
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In September 2024, Mohamed bin Zayed visited the United States. This was the first time an Emirati President visited the White House. He met President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. They talked about future economic and technology ties between their countries.
Egypt
In March 2022, Sheikh Mohamed met with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in Egypt. They discussed their relationships and global events.
Russia
Mohamed has a strong relationship with Russia and Vladimir Putin. Putin calls Mohamed an "old friend." The two leaders often talk on the phone. The UAE also worked with Russia to train and launch the first Emirati astronaut, Hazza Al Mansouri, to the International Space Station.
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In October 2022, Sheikh Mohamed met with Putin in Saint Petersburg. In June 2023, he met Putin again at an economic forum in St. Petersburg. The UAE was a special guest country at this event.
Turkey
In August 2021, Mohamed met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. They discussed how to make their countries' relationship stronger. This meeting came after years where the two nations had supported different sides in regional conflicts.
Africa
Under Mohamed's leadership, the UAE has greatly increased its investments in Africa. Total investments reached $110 billion. Between 2022 and 2023, the UAE promised $97 billion for projects in areas like ports, renewable energy, and agriculture. The UAE has become one of the top four investors in Africa.
The UAE has also been involved in some conflicts in Africa. For example, it provided military support to the government in Ethiopia during the Tigray War.
Nuclear Energy Development
Under Mohamed's leadership, the UAE built the first nuclear power reactor in the region. This is the Barakah nuclear power plant. The UAE and the US signed an agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation. This agreement helps make sure nuclear technology is used safely and does not spread weapons. Mohamed attended the Nuclear Security Summit in 2012 and 2014.
Religion in the UAE
Islam is the official religion of the UAE. The country's constitution allows freedom of worship, as long as it follows public rules. The UAE government manages Muslim practices closely. All imams (religious leaders) receive their salaries from the government.
Mohamed visited Pope Francis in 2016. In February 2019, he welcomed Pope Francis to the UAE. This was the first time a Pope visited the Arabian Peninsula. Pope Francis's visit happened during a conference about promoting religious tolerance. As part of this visit, Pope Francis held the first Papal Mass in the Arabian Peninsula. About 180,000 people attended, including 4,000 Muslims.
The UAE has seen a rise in its Indian population. The government has allowed the building of several privately-funded Hindu temples.
Domestic Policy
Economic Growth
Mohamed has led efforts to boost Abu Dhabi's economy. He used to be in charge of groups like the Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development (ADCED) and the Mubadala Development Company.
In June 2018, Mohamed approved a large economic plan worth AED 50 billion (about $13.6 billion). He also asked for a review of building rules to help urban development.
Mohamed is the chairman of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs. This council is very important for managing Abu Dhabi's money, investments, and natural resources like oil.
Military Development
Mohamed has served in many military roles. He was an officer in the Amiri Guard, a pilot in the UAE's Air Force, and commander of the UAE Air Force. In 2005, he became deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces and was promoted to lieutenant general.
In the early 1990s, Mohamed wanted to buy advanced F-16 fighter jets. He even offered for the UAE to pay for the research and development needed to create a newer, better model than what the US Air Force had at the time.
Mohamed made jujitsu a required sport in schools. In 2014, he started a military draft, asking young Emiratis to attend a year of training. He even had his own daughters participate in a pilot program. He invited a retired Australian general, Mike Hindmarsh, to help improve the Emirati military. Because of Mohamed's vision, the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces have become one of the best-equipped and trained militaries in the region. The US military has even called the UAE Armed Forces "Little Sparta" because of their effective role.
A study in 2020 showed that Mohamed's changes successfully made the UAE military more effective.
Helping Others and Culture
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Mohamed has supported many good causes. The University of Texas has a special research chair for cancer research named after him, thanks to his funding. He also organizes the Zayed Charity Marathon in New York City every year since 2005. This race helps raise awareness about kidney disease and supports the US National Kidney Foundation.
Mohamed bin Zayed has helped create important art museums, like the Louvre Abu Dhabi (opened in 2017) and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (planned). He also supports cultural heritage sites such as Qasr al-Hosn.
He has been involved in protecting wild animals like falcons, bustards, and the Arabian oryx. He donated $1 million to help prevent wild birds from dying from power lines. He also leads the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund.
Two animal species have been named after Mohamed: a woodlizard called Enyalioides binzayedi and a rare maple tree called Acer binzayedii. This is because his conservation fund helped discover them.
Personal Life
Mohamed is married to Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan. They married in 1980. They have nine children together—four sons and five daughters. They also have two adopted daughters. Together, they have 21 grandchildren.
- Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. She is married to Sheikh Mohammed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan. They have two sons:
- Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan (born 2011)
- Zayed bin Mohammed Al Nahyan (born 2014)
- Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan (born 1982). He is married to Sheikha Fatima bint Suroor Al Nahyan. They have three children:
- Shamma bint Khaled Al Nahyan (born 2011)
- Mohammed bin Khaled Al Nahyan (born 2013)
- Salama bint Khaled Al Nahyan (born 2013)
- Sheikha Shamsa bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (born 1984). She is married to Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Nahyan. They have six children:
- Hessa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan (born 2003). She is married to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan.
- Zayed bin Mohammed Al Nahyan (born 2005)
- Salama bint Mohammed Al Nahyan (born 2007)
- Fatima bint Mohammed Al Nahyan
- Mohammed bin Mohammed Al Nahyan (born 2024)
- Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan (born 2024)
- Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He is married to Sheikha Latifa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan. They have three children:
- Fatima bint Theyab Al Nahyan (born 2014)
- Salama bint Theyab Al Nahyan (born 2016)
- Zayed bin Theyab Al Nahyan (born 2019)
- Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He married Sheikha Fakhra bint Khalifa Al Nahyan in 2021. They have two sons:
- Mohammed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan (born 2022)
- Khalifa bin Hamdan Al Nahyan (born 2024)
- Sheikha Fatima bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (born 1989). She is married to Sheikh Nahyan bin Saif Al Nahyan. They have four children:
- Mohammed bin Nahyan Al Nahyan (born 2012)
- Saif bin Nahyan Al Nahyan (born 2014)
- Zayed bin Nahyan Al Nahyan (born 2018)
- Mariam bint Nahyan Al Nahyan (born 2023)
- Sheikha Shamma bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (born 1992). She is married to Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. They have one son:
- Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan (born 2023)
- Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (born 1995). He graduated from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2020.
- Sheikha Hessa bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- Amina - adopted daughter
- Salha - adopted daughter
Mohamed is a lifelong fan of falconry. He created the Mohamed bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School. Its goal is to teach new generations about this old tradition. He learned falconry from his own father.
Succession
As the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Mohamed has named his son Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan as the crown prince. This means Khaled is expected to be his successor.
Honours and Recognition
| Styles of Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
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| Reference style | His Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Highness |
| Alternative style | Ra'is (President) |
Mohamed bin Zayed has received many awards and honors from different countries around the world. Some of these include:
United States: Legion of Merit (1991)
Brazil: Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross (2021)
Kuwait:
- First Class of the Kuwait Liberation Medal (1994)
- Special Class of the Order of Kuwait (1995)
France:
- Grand Cross of the National Order of Legion of Honour (2022)
- Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (2013)
Germany: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2008)
Kosovo: Medal of the Order of Independence (2014)
Malaysia:
- Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (2011)
- Member of the Order of the Crown of the Realm (2023)
- Pahang: Member 1st Class of the Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang (2023)
South Korea: Grand Order of Mugunghwa (2012)
Montenegro: Grand Cross of the Order of the Montenegrin Grand Star (2013)
Morocco:
- Order of Military Merit (1994)
- Collar of the Order of Muhammad (2015)
Serbia: Grand Cross of the Order of the Republic of Serbia (2017)
Jordan:
- Supreme Order of the Renaissance (1996)
- Collar of the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali (2018)
Oman: Collar of the Order of Al-Said (2022)
Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit (2008)
Palestine: Order of the Star of Jerusalem (2008)
United Kingdom: Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (2010)
Places Named After Him
Indonesia: In April 2021, a major elevated toll road in Indonesia was renamed the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Skyway (Jalan Layang Mohamed bin Zayed).
Images for kids
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Mohamed as Chief of Staff in his air force military uniform greeting then U.S. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen in Abu Dhabi, 1997
See also
In Spanish: Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahayan para niños
