They received the astronaut. Amid an official and popular celebration of his return

President and Mohammed bin Rashid: Sultan Al Neyadi is an honorable model for the nation's youth and a symbol of his ambition

• Mohammed bin Zayed, Mohammed bin Rashid, Mansour bin Zayed, Hamdan bin Mohammed and Tahnoon bin Mohammed during the reception of Sultan Al Neyadi. WAM

• Sultan Al Neyadi embraces his sons as soon as he leaves the door of the plane. WAM

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President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi upon his arrival with his team at the new Abu Dhabi Airport.

Their Highnesses congratulated Sultan Al Neyadi on the safety of returning to the homeland and his success, with the grace of God, in completing the longest mission in space in the history of the Arabs, and exchanged friendly and paternal conversations with him, and listened to his experience in space, the lessons he benefited from and the challenges he faced during the mission.

Their Highnesses also congratulated his family and the people of the UAE as a whole, stressing that Sultan Al Neyadi is an honorable model for the youth of the country and a symbol of his ambition, and God willing, with the likes of the young men and women of the country, our flag will remain high, and this is what the leadership always bets on.

Their Highnesses wished Sultan Al Neyadi success in continuing his role in the UAE space program in the coming period.

His Highness stressed that the UAE was founded on defying the odds, and this was planted in us by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Praise be to God, it has become the culture of a people."

His Highness said: "Today, the UAE has a clear imprint in the field of space, and this is thanks to the vision and patronage of my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and with your efforts, dedication and knowledge, we will continue our path in this field to serve development, science and humanity, and our confidence is great in the capabilities of our youth," stressing that "the UAE's investment in the field of space is an investment for the future that is based on science and technology, whoever does not invest in science has no place in the future."

His Highness added that «the space sector is one of the qualitative sectors, and the UAE is always looking for achievements that make the difference, because we are in a great development race, whether at the regional or global level, this race we win with such qualitative achievements, and we always bet on quality, whether in human cadres, projects or others, and this makes you know the value of what you are doing for your country».

His Highness the President of the UAE said, "The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre team is a distinguished elite of young men and women of the country, and they have a great responsibility during the coming period, and we will provide them with all support, as they benefit not only the UAE but the whole world."

His Highness wished success to everyone in their upcoming tasks, stressing that every success is a prelude to another success, God willing.

For his part, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stressed that "the UAE Astronaut Program reinforces the country's vision based on investing in people, empowering them, supporting their capabilities and enhancing their expertise and capabilities, as the essence of achieving any progress in all fields."

His Highness said: "I received with my brother Mohammed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, may God protect him, the Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi returning to the homeland after a six-month journey on the International Space Station, to be the first Arab astronaut on a long mission in space."

His Highness added: "The arrival of Sultan Al Neyadi represents a major milestone in the UAE's scientific development process, and represents a bright spot in the UAE's journey in investing in people, which the founders began and we complete today."

His Highness stressed: "We continue, God willing, to send more astronauts from our young men and women, and we continue to launch more scientific, research and exploration projects in space and on Earth, and we continue, God willing, to invest in people, faith, trust and empowerment for our sons and daughters."

For his part, Sultan Al Neyadi presented His Highness the President with the UAE flag that he carried with him to the International Space Station, expressing his thanks and appreciation for the support and encouragement he received during his mission. He said that the leadership's support for the youth has had a great impact on the achievements they have made on behalf of the UAE.

The UAE officially and popularly celebrated during a reception held at the new Abu Dhabi Airport on the occasion of the return of Sultan Al Neyadi, to express pride and pride in the historic achievement achieved by him on behalf of it and all Arabs after completing the longest space mission in Arab history.

The Fursan Al Emarat Aerobatic Team performed in the skies over the airport, while the folklore troupes (Al Ayyala) participated in their performances, to celebrate the occasion.

The reception was attended by His Highness Sheikhs, officials, Sultan Al Neyadi's family, various segments of society, including school students, employees of government and private agencies from all sectors, and individuals who expressed their happiness with his return, and sent a message of pride and pride in the achievements of his and his brothers from the UAE that enhance their international contributions and initiatives in the field of space and its sciences, and for the benefit of the future of humanity.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed shook hands with the "Zayed Ambition 2" mission team of experts and employees at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, who contributed to the completion of this important space mission.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also met with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre team, and congratulated all the Centre's teams that contributed to the success of astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi's mission, during which he spent six months on the International Space Station, praising their efforts and role in the success of this historic mission for the UAE and the Arabs, and previous missions, such as the mission of Hazza Al Mansouri and the mission to send the "Hope Probe" to Mars, expressing their confidence That the national cadres are up to the responsibility.

H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Office, H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, and H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the National Media Office, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the UAE Space Agency Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, and a number of Senior officials.

Head of State:

• "Thanks to the vision and patronage of my brother Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum... The UAE has a clear footprint in the field of space."

Mohammed bin Rashid:

• "We continue to launch more scientific, research and exploration projects. And investing in human beings and trusting our sons and daughters and empowering them."