In a profoundly moving tribute at the World Governments Summit, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, recognized Emirati mother Dhahira Al Ameri for her extraordinary dedication to education during the nation’s formative years. The ceremony during the “The Impregnable Fortress” session revealed a historic photograph of Al Ameri sitting with her young son under a simple tent in Al Wagan, Al Ain—one of the UAE’s first makeshift schools established when formal education remained a novel concept.
Sheikh Saif personally addressed Al Ameri, emphasizing her remarkable perseverance despite lacking contemporary resources. “Dhahira, there was no one to help you, and you did not have what mothers have today,” he stated. “But you were keen to be with him.” This recognition highlighted the challenging conditions faced by early education pioneers who responded to the call of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father, to embrace education despite widespread uncertainty.
The emotional impact deepened as Al Ameri’s son, now an adult, stood beside his mother on stage and shared how her sacrifice created an educational legacy. “I studied and graduated from America,” he announced, “and today, I have four daughters who are graduates of UAE University, and another daughter studying cybersecurity in Australia.”
This narrative powerfully connects a mother’s determination in a desert tent classroom to multiple generations of academically accomplished Emirati women making global contributions. The story transcends personal achievement, embodying the UAE’s developmental journey through core values of leadership trust, women’s essential role in nation-building, and education as the fundamental catalyst for progress.