The UAE President shared a personal memory from 1971, along with a photograph and a handwritten thank-you, and encouraged people to recognise the teachers who made a difference in their lives.
Abu Dhabi: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan marked World Teachers’ Day by sharing a photograph from 1971 bearing a handwritten message of thanks to one of his former teachers, offering a personal reminder of the lasting influence educators can have on their students.
Dated April 29, 1971, the photograph carries a dedication to Ahmed Ibrahim Mandi, who taught Sheikh Mohamed at Al Kindi School in the early 1970s.
“I dedicate this photograph to Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim Mandi as a keepsake, with thanks. Mohamed Zayed,” the handwritten note reads.
Sharing the image more than five decades later, Sheikh Mohamed expressed his appreciation for teachers across the UAE and their role in shaping future generations.
“On World Teachers’ Day, I express my appreciation and gratitude to teachers across the UAE and commend their role in shaping future generations,” he wrote. He also encouraged people to reach out to teachers who had influenced their lives and thank them for their contribution.
A Teacher-Student Bond That Endured
Ahmed Ibrahim Mandi Al Tamimi was among the educators who helped shape education in Abu Dhabi around the time of the UAE’s formation. His connection with Sheikh Mohamed continued well beyond the classroom.
In 2017, Sheikh Mohamed, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, visited Mandi at his home in Khalifa City. The two revisited memories of his school years and discussed the contributions of the UAE’s early generation of teachers.
During the visit, Sheikh Mohamed praised educators who had dedicated their time, knowledge and experience to teaching successive generations. He described teachers as role models whose influence extends well beyond their lessons.
The photograph from 1971 brings that message into focus, linking a personal memory with a broader recognition of the people who help shape the country’s future.
His tribute also reminded us that acknowledging a teacher’s contribution need not be reserved for a special occasion. A simple message of thanks can recognise an influence that lasts a lifetime.
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“I dedicate this photograph to Mr Ahmed Ibrahim Mandi as a keepsake, with thanks. Mohamed Zayed.”
Source: Gulf News
