UAE leaders laud Sultan Al Neyadi as pride of nation

WAM

As Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi embarked on his historic mission to space on Thursday, UAE leaders marked the milestone with special messages on social media.

Taking to his official Twitter account, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said Al Neyadi's "inspiring achievement is a source of great pride to the UAE".

"I join the nation in congratulating Sultan Al Neyadi as he begins his pioneering mission aboard the International Space Station," he wrote, adding, "Another milestone in the journey of our nation and the ambitions of our people." 

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also marked the milestone on Twitter.

"Sultan Al Neyadi launched into space today to be the first Arab astronaut on a long-term mission that takes six months to the International Space Station," Sheikh Mohammed wrote.

On Thursday, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, was at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre to witness history being made. 

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