'Jewels of Abu Dhabi' to celebrate Sheika Fatima, her efforts

Five life-sized bronze sculptures of the UAE's iconic wildlife species have been gifted to Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, to celebrate her motherhood and the exceptional efforts in supporting Emirati women and to appreciate her great role in protecting the environment.

The sculptures, commissioned by the Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi (EAD) and created by world-renowned British artist Gill Parker, represent some of the UAE's key threatened and endangered species, collectively known as 'Jewels of Abu Dhabi', which include the Dugong, Arabian Oryx, Greater flamingo, Hawksbill Turtle and Saker Falcon.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and chairman of EAD, on Tuesday gifted the five bronze sculptures to Sheikha Fatima, the Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood as part of celebration of Mother's Day.

The beautiful sculptures were placed in Umm Al Emarat Park, a cultural centre and unique family park in Abu Dhabi for the public to see.

Umm Al Emarat Park will host these sculptures permanently to support raising public environmental awareness of Abu Dhabi's beautiful, yet fragile natural world. Each sculpture is accompanied by interesting information about the species as well as an information about how the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan inspired governmental efforts to protect them.

These permanent sculptures will serve as a reminder of the sincere gratitude for the pioneering role that Sheikha Fatima has played in continuing the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's legacy of development and achievement in many fields including protection and preservation of our environment.

"Mother's Day is a fitting day to express our appreciation towards the Mother of the Nation for her exceptional efforts in supporting Emirati women and providing them with equal opportunities to contribute to the building of our great nation," said Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

"It is also an occasion to express our pride in the pioneering role she has played in continuing the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's legacy and achievements, not only nationally but regionally and internationally in various fields."

"Sheikh Zayed cherished our environment because it is an integral part of our country, history, religion and heritage," said Sheikha Fatima as she expressed her happiness upon receiving the gift.

"His foresight and vision long preceded the present-day global conservationists' movement. He recognised the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live and to preserve it for succeeding generations."

Sheikha Fatima noted that these sculptures reflect our pride and appreciation of the efforts the late Sheikh Zayed made throughout the years to preserve the environment. She added that the best way to celebrate the late Sheikh Zayed's achievements would be by spreading his vision and legacy to the people of the UAE and to continue to instil his inspirational and noble values in future generations.