"Father is the pillar, the role model, and the symbol of giving and dedication for the happiness, stability, and security of the family. On Father's Day, we remember our father Zayed — may God have mercy on him — the symbol of fatherhood that built a nation through wisdom, compassion, love, and responsibility. We salute every father who follows this path: nurturing his family with love, instilling in his children genuine values and morals, and opening before them the doors of hope and the future, so that our families remain forever a source of strength for our society and progress for our nation. May God bless fathers in the United Arab Emirates and the world, and have mercy on those who have departed."
"On Father's Day, we recall their grace... we recall their lives and their journeys. We are what they planted. We are what they made and built. We are what they left behind. May God have mercy on those who have gone, and may God protect those who remain."
Islam has not designated a specific day to celebrate the father, because honouring one's parents is a lifelong duty. Islam, however, constantly urges the individual to honour the father at all times, as obedience, respect, and service to him are his rightful religious entitlements. Conversely, being undutiful to one's father is considered among the gravest of prohibitions. The father in Islam thus enjoys a distinguished standing, as evidenced by the words of the Almighty: "And be dutiful to your parents," and His words: "Whether one or both of them reach old age in your care, say not to them a word of contempt." Nevertheless, as many concerned with this matter agree, if a day receives more attention than others as a gesture of loyalty and appreciation, this is something that strengthens family bonds and deepens closeness among family members — and is therefore praiseworthy.
Father's Day is regarded as a global social celebration dedicated to honouring fathers, through which peoples express their gratitude for the giving and sacrifices fathers have made for their families and children throughout their lives.
It is celebrated on different days around the world, with many Western and Arab countries marking the occasion, though it enjoys wider popularity in some countries than others, and has even been turned into a religious observance in some of them.
Historical accounts affirm that the first person to whom the idea of dedicating a day to honour fathers occurred was a woman named Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, in Spokane, in the state of Michigan, United States, in 1909, after she listened to a religious sermon on Mother's Day. Sonora Dodd wanted to honour her father, William Jackson Smart.
Sonora Louise Smart Dodd submitted a petition recommending the designation of a day to celebrate fathers. The petition was supported by certain groups, and as the culmination of Sonora's efforts, the city of Spokane celebrated the first Father's Day on 19 June 1910. The custom subsequently spread to other countries.
In 1916, a bill recognising Father's Day was put before Congress, and President Wilson travelled to Spokane to deliver a speech calling for the day to be officially recognised as a public holiday. Congress, however, rejected the proposal, fearing the day would be turned into a commercial holiday.
In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recommended that the celebration of Father's Day be extended to all countries of the world, though it was not universally recognised. In 1957, Senator Margaret Chase Smith accused Congress of having ignored fathers for 40 years despite honouring mothers.
In the United Arab Emirates, it is likewise our duty — and the right claim upon each and every one of us on this noble and lofty paternal occasion — to remember together, young and old alike, the founding leaders and fathers, Zayed and Rashid, may God rest their souls. Through their vision, they led our young nation towards renaissance and distinction. Thanks first to God Almighty, and then to their efforts, the UAE managed to transform within a few short decades from a nascent federation into a state that holds a prominent position on the world stage and competes with the world's top five powers. This is owed to their wise vision and their comprehensive development approach in building a modern state founded on the principles of unity and stability, progress and innovation, tolerance, and the rule of law.
May every father in our country and across our entire Arab world be well, safe, and happy, year after year.