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What we can learn from Sheikh Mohammed

It's not just Dubai or the UAE that is benefitting from his tireless spirit for excellence.

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Dreams realise for those who know their work and have the skills to turn their vision into a reality. No dream is too big when you have conviction in what you do, and especially so when you work for the good of others.

Qissati, or My Story, a memoir of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, offers many such anecdotes. It allows us to live through the moments in the life of our great ruler that have influenced his personality and shaped his life.

Sheikh Mohammed loves his people and the people love him. He has been the epitome of leadership. He is a leader who has worked hard all his life keeping the best interest of his people in mind. And he is still dedicated to his vision of improving the lives of the present generation and laying a strong foundation for the future ones. What he has achieved in his lifetime is hard to replicate by anyone in a similar timeframe.

It's not just Dubai or the UAE that is benefitting from his tireless spirit for excellence. Sheikh Mohammed has been the guiding light in the region, inspiring people and rulers of other countries to learn from his experiments, to match his successes and bring about similar changes in their own countries. Dubai is a role model, a dream city that has weathered all odds and continues to thriving.

Sheikh Mohammed has inherited wisdom from his father. Like he was a mentor to him, Sheikh Mohammed is now a guide to the sons of the land and his followers across the world.

Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum was truly the father of modern Dubai. During his term, trade prospered in Dubai. The Jebel Ali port was built and started operating under his watch. Today the port is among the top 10 busiest ones in the world. The journey to modernise Dubai and put it on the same pedestal as some of the developed cities in the world continues till date. Sheikh Mohammed has redefined the image of the emirate with the superlative urban infrastructure and diversification plans. The ruler has a cleareyed vision of Dubai, where business and development are the core objectives. He strives to give a good life to the people, and that's why Dubai has become a safe haven and a model state that the world wishes to emulate.

Qissati is a small part of an unfinished autobiography of Sheikh Mohammed. The 50 stories of 50 years of experience is a continuation of his previous eight books, documenting his stories and experiences with Arab leaders. A common theme that runs across is, if you wish to succeed, will should be accompanied by effort. There should be no room for doubts or inhibitions. Crises are opportunities to exploit and a focused mind will always be able to find them.

The principles mentioned in the Fifty Year Charter, which was recently unveiled by the Sheikh Mohammed, should become a way of life for all in Dubai. There should be transparency, respect and commitment in everything that we undertake.

The book carries lessons and influential stories and opens the door for those looking for real history lessons. Dreams realise faster in a culture of cooperation and union represented by the UAE. The UAE today has the strongest passport in the world. It espouses and lives by the values of peace and tolerance. Qissati shares experiences that have led Dubai and the UAE to this height. It is the story of a man who was nurtured by influential leaders, by history, and it serves as a lesson for us all.

malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com