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Video: Sheikh Mohamed's teacher shares rare photos, stories of leader's childhood

Abu Dhabi - The highlight of the clip is when he shared a recording of a young Mohamed bin Zayed speaking at a morning assembly.

With #HBDMBZ trending on Twitter, several UAE citizens and residents took to social media on Thursday to congratulate His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on his 60th birthday.

But the most touching tribute yet has come from the CP's former teacher, who dug into the annals of history — so to speak — to recall his most memorable moments with the "hardworking student" who was enthusiastic about public speaking activities.

In the video, published by Abu Dhabi Media Office on Thursday, Ahmed Mandi, a teacher at Al Kindi Primary School from 1971-75, can be seen thumbing through old albums, featuring pictures of the UAE leader as a child.

"Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed was like every other student," Ahmed reminisced, adding that his former student used to be particularly enthusiastic about the morning assemblies at school.

"He had a page he would read out in the morning from a magazine in order to learn how to speak publicly," he said. "Now, when we hear him speak publicly, he does it very well. But at the time, there was only about one minute for him to read and say some words during morning assembly."

The highlight of the clip is when Ahmed proceeded to share a recording of a young Mohamed bin Zayed speaking at one such assembly.

"Today's words [of wisdom]: Those who work hard will gain, and those who plant seeds will reap a harvest," the youthful voice of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince is heard reciting. "And those who walk the path do arrive at where they intend to be. Everyone must be diligent in their work."

Ahmed even had the pleasure of meeting his ex-student recently. A surprise caller from the palace informed him that a former student wished to meet him.

When Sheikh Mohamed went to meet his tutor, he took his children along for the reunion. "It was like a family visit," said an overjoyed Ahmed. "We shared memories. It was as if the past had never left."