President Sheikh Mohamed calls women a 'source of love and strength' on Mother's Day

The UAE leader pays tribute to Sheikha Fatima and mothers around the world

Sheikh Mohamed speaks with his mother Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in a picture released for Mother's Day in 2021. Wam

President Sheikh Mohamed has called women an “unwavering source of love, strength and inspiration” on Mother's Day.

He took to Twitter on Tuesday to pay tribute to his mother, Sheikha Fatima, the Mother of the Nation, and to mothers around the world.

“To my beloved mother, and mothers everywhere, you remain an unwavering source of love, strength and inspiration,” he said on Twitter.

“You are celebrated and cherished today and every day, and we pray for your continued health and happiness. I wish you a very happy Mother’s Day.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also paid tribute on social media to Emirati mothers "who made exceptional sacrifices".

He said they would be honoured during Ramadan "in front of the UAE community and the world".

Sheikha Fatima said mothers are a truly inspiring symbol of love, devotion and sincerity.

She said mothers play a fundamental role in raising children and building the family, which is the basis for social cohesion.

The mother is the first school of belonging and loyalty, the pillar of society and the symbol of giving, Sheikha Fatima said.

Mother's Day is celebrated across the world on different days. In the UAE, it is held on March 21 each year.

That date was dedicated to mothers in the Middle East several decades ago.

Egypt first declared March 21 as Mother's Day in 1956 and other Arab nations followed.

In the UK, mothers were honoured on Sunday, but in many other countries the day is celebrated in May.