At the recent global security summit, where world leaders discussed peace, energy and stability in the Middle East, one voice stood out for its wisdom and vision, that of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. His decision to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, while strengthening alliances with the West and maintaining regional balances, brings to mind a leader who knows how to build bridges in times of division.

This article does not come as an ordinary eulogy, but as a reminder of how a silent friend of Albanians, who helped us in 1999 without noise and without cameras, continues to remain an actor with global influence, respected for deeds and not for words. At a time when partnerships are tested every day, it is worth remembering true friends.

At a time when international politics is teetering between narrow interests and historical oblivion, remembering those who have been with us in the darkest days is not only a moral obligation, but a national necessity. In this line of remembrance and recognition, it is appropriate to dwell on a figure we rarely mention, but who has given much to Albanians: His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates.

This is not an ordinary article, nor an attempt to elevate a foreign leader to a pedestal. It is a reflection on how a statesman of global caliber created a development model that also inspires our countries. Above all, it is a story about a true friend of Albanians, who began this relationship not for short-term interests, but from a deep human experience: the hospitality he himself gave to Kosovar refugees in 1999, in Kukës, not as a prince, but as a soldier, as a man, as a brother.

In a world where friends often change with political cycles, MBZ has been consistent. And it’s time for us to be consistent in our memory, too.

A tireless architect of transformation

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ruler of the United Arab Emirates, known for short as MBZ, is the architect of the transformation of the United Arab Emirates into a regional power within the Arabian Gulf, not only in economic terms, but also in political and military terms. MBZ leads his country with a clear vision for the future, which aims to prove that life in peace, development and well-being, as well as the sustainability of a tolerant society, are qualities that do not contradict the traditional values of Islam, but on the contrary strengthen the original Islamic message of peace and tolerance.

Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates aims for sustainable economic growth through science and technology, social peace, prosperity through coexistence, all this embodied in the unstoppable pace of development and stability. And all this resulted in the extraordinary success of the UAE ranking as the second safest country in the world to live and work, , in the 2025 index.

But the Emirati leader did not stop there. Under his leadership, since 2020, the UAE already has its own space exploration program and agency. Arab rockets have already been launched towards Mars and beyond, while the UAE is the only Arab country to have sent local astronauts into space. Under the Emirati leader, the UAE is the only Arab country to have nuclear power plants. In short: MBZ is a true visionary.

A true friend and brother of Albanians

In Albania, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is known as a good friend of the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, a fact now universally known, but this friendship is neither a coincidence nor a product of interests. The special connection and emotion that MBZ has for Albania, and Albanians in general, is deep and an inseparable part of MBZ’s personal development as a statesman. When he speaks of Albanians, or in his presence Albanians are spoken of, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has both Albania and Kosovo in mind.

The story of this special connection and emotion begins in 1999, in what we Albanians know as the Arab camp of Kukës. While the war in Kosovo was at its height, on the Albanian side of the border a contingent of soldiers from the United Arab Emirates patrolled the perimeter in large Humvees, while Puma helicopters piloted by members of its air force flew over the breathtaking landscape of the stoic Albanian mountains. At the head of these forces, who cared for thousands of Kosovar refugees’ day and night, was a tall man with a beard and a high nose accentuated by a pair of glasses. This 28-year-old officer, a graduate of the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, England, at that time only ten years older than his country, was himself the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates as well as the future Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed Ben Zayed. Kosovo Albanians well remember his highness’s speech in Kukës when he vowed that his country would not abandon refugees in need until the last Kosovar returned home.

After Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1991, the Kosovo war of 1998-1999 was the MBZ’s second experience with what happens when a people are powerless to defend itself. Everything he saw and witnessed in Kukes, seeing firsthand the suffering of the Albanian people, killed and forcibly expelled from their lands, conceived the vision of the MBZ that the United Arab Emirates should be empowered and strengthened to the point where any potential enemy would be forced to think twice before attacking. This is best evidenced in the memoirs of Major General Obaid Al Ketbi, commander of the UAE military forces in Albania and later in Kosovo. General Al Ketbi recalls: “If we all learned one lesson from Kosovo, it is that preparation is essential.”

The tireless and consistent investment in the field of defense has achieved precisely this goal. And not without reason, in 2014, inspired by the special style of the MBZ’s program and state leadership, the US Secretary of Defense James Mattis gave the United Arab Emirates the nickname “Little Sparta”. The comparison with one of the most powerful city-states of ancient Greece is completely apt, because it corresponds very well to the temperament of the leader and people of this state.

But, having witnessed the broad international coalition that mobilized to help the Albanian people of Kosovo, and earlier to liberate Kuwait, MBZ has also felt firsthand the importance of the power that comes from alliances and cooperation. Now, many years later, in the 2025 index, the United Arab Emirates is ranked as the tenth in the world in terms of the power to exert influence through what is known as soft power. So, MBZ is not only a strong and clear-minded leader, but also a diplomat of the caliber of Talleyrand.

Beyond this personal connection, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan highly values Albania and Kosovo, as two concrete examples where a Muslim-majority population has built a society and state, where all people, regardless of ethnicity or religion, can live, work and prosper in peace. So, the relationship of the royal family in Abu Dhabi towards Albanians is based solely on shared values and mutual respect.

Always humble and modest

But MBZ is not only a product of the events that have marked his formation as a statesman, but he is also the natural embodiment of the high human values that his entire family has. Westerners may be surprised by the fact that this powerful man sometimes goes out, without guards or any escort, and meets with his people, but this behavior is only a reflection of the modesty and humility that characterizes the entire royal family.

For Albanians, but also for others, it may seem strange that few in Abu Dhabi know that the royal family, namely MBZ’s mother, Sheikha Fatima, known as the “mother of the United Arab Emirates”, has fully financed the modern construction of the Pediatric Hospital in Pristina, as well as the supply of the most modern equipment, turning this pediatric hospital into a center of excellence unmatched anywhere in the region. This is because the royal family sees good deeds only as a dedication to God and not as a project to boast to others. So, this great and very costly work was not done for show off, but as a manifestation of the humility and deep human values of Sheikha Fatima and her son Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as a symbol of the love and dedication of the royal family to the people of Kosovo. A love that has been conceived since the moment little Fatima was born, the first baby born in the Arab camp, a newborn refugee who received this blessed name in respect of Sheikha Fatima.

Prime Minister Rama can be inspired by many things from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. And one could even say that Rama’s insistence on implementing many capital projects, parallel to each other, turning Albania into an attraction that attracts millions of foreigners, and most recently the decision to build up the military industry and strengthen the Albanian army, are fruits of this positive influence. However, following this good example should not stop with Rama. Prime Minister Rama will not govern forever, therefore the MBZ model, as an example of leadership with love and dedication to the homeland and the people, should also be followed by the next generation of Albanian leaders.

(The author is a writer and researcher of phenomena related to the functioning of public institutions. The author holds a PhD in the field of national security).

MBZ, a silent friend who is not forgotten