UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan marked UAE Father's Day on June 21 with a deeply personal tribute to his late father, UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The President shared a childhood photograph of himself playing in water alongside Sheikh Zayed, accompanied by a message that quickly resonated across the nation.
"You will forever be our mentor, our father, and the symbol of our nation," President Sheikh Mohamed wrote alongside the image.
Sheikh Mohamed's Father's Day Post Goes Viral
The photo — showing a young Sheikh Mohamed sharing a playful moment with his father in water — captured the attention of social media users across the UAE and the wider Arab world. The post amassed hundreds of thousands of views within hours, with citizens and residents sharing their own tributes in response.
The UAE celebrates Father's Day on June 21 each year, a date also observed in several Arab countries including Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan.
Sultan Al Neyadi's Tribute from the International Space Station
UAE Father's Day has drawn tributes from remarkable settings in recent years. Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi honored the occasion by sending a message from the International Space Station during his historic long-duration mission — the longest Arab spaceflight on record. Dr. Al Neyadi acknowledged Sheikh Zayed as the Father of the Nation and President Sheikh Mohamed for his leadership, while also paying tribute to his own father, Saif Al Neyadi, whom he described as his guiding light.
How Father's Day Is Celebrated Around the World
Father's Day is observed globally, though the date varies by country and culture:
- June 21 — UAE, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan - Third Sunday of June — United States, United Kingdom, India, and the Philippines - March 19 — Croatia, Italy, Spain, and Portugal - First Sunday of September — Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands
The occasion is an opportunity to honor fathers and recognize their role in the lives of children and families everywhere.
