The Arab world and the UAE is empty without Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, said Walid Yassin, a Palestinian businessman.
"He was the emblem of generosity, sympathy, compassion, devotion, nationalism and sovereignty. My father died 20 years ago and today I have lost my father again," said Yassin, who has lived here for the last 12 years.
He added: "I cannot imagine the Arab world without the far-sighted leader. He symbolised everything to me. He was charitable and humanitarian. He did everything that could be done for his people and the Arab world. He brought free trade, business, construction, education, science, IT and culture into this country. I loved and respected him so much. Ultimately, I believe and hope that his successor will work under his immortal vision."
Hatem Mohammad, a Jordanian salesman who has lived in the UAE for more than 20 years, said: "I am devastated. His death is a great loss for the Arab world. He had high status among Arab expatriates and was a generous, kind and wise leader. He treated everyone equally."
Ahmad Alaa Eddine, a Lebanese art instructor who has lived in Sharjah for three years, said: "I don't know what to say or how to feel. It's the greatest loss to the UAE, Arab and Muslim world. He was a real Arab national leader. It is very rare to find such a nationalistic visionary leader. He was a generous leader with all Arabs and many Arab countries, especially Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq.
"He was also supportive of thousands of Arab and Asian immigrants who came to this country to earn a living."
Mohammad Al Khatib, an Egyptian lawyer who has been in the UAE for more than 10 years, said: "I am overwhelmed and don't know how to express myself.
"What has happened is God's will but still it is difficult to believe that the father Shaikh Zayed has died. A kind-hearted and loving leader has left us. I believe and hope that his successor will be as wise as him. May God bless his soul!"
Rasha Bu Zawady, a Tunisian employee in a travel agency, said: "The entire Arab world has lost a valiant and heroic leader. We are all mourning Shaikh Zayed, may God bless his soul. His accomplishments in the UAE and the Arab world were huge. He symbolised Arab unity I don't think anyone will ever forget him."
Meanwhile, Ranya Azzawi, an Egyptian housewife who has been in the UAE for five years, said: "He was a judicious leader who kept the UAE on the right path. He was a leader full of goodwill and charitable actions. He kept his country abreast of all technologies and developments."
Nidal Hachim, a Syrian teacher who has been in the country for 12 years, said: "I cried suddenly. I was in shock. As an Arab, I used to admire and was proud of Shaikh Zayed because he succeeded in unifying seven different emirates where other Arab leaders have failed."
Maria Khoury, a Lebanese who works in the marketing industry, said: "I was saddened by the death of our leader Shaikh Zayed. He gave us the freedom to build churches in which we prayed. I'm sure that everybody in the Arab world is mourning and praying for him."
Gulf News
