Mayo Clinic to Name Center After Sheik
Mayo Clinic to Name Cardiovascular Center After Arab Emirates Sheik Who Gave $25 Million
MINNEAPOLIS Oct. 19, 2004 — The Mayo Clinic will name a new cardiovascular treatment center for the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who has given $25 million to the institution since he underwent neck surgery there in 1996.
The 86-year-old sheik pledged the money soon after the surgery but didn't want it made public, Mayo spokesman Chris Gade said Tuesday after the Star Tribune reported the gift.
"Now we're at the stage of the process where he's made the final payment," Gade said Tuesday.
Some of the sheik's contributions elsewhere have been controversial. In 1999, a think tank he funded in Abu Dhabi was criticized for anti-Semitic speakers and anti-Semitic language on its Web site. However, the UAE government earned praise four years later for shutting down the think tank, citing intolerance.(snip)
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=178946
Thanks Velveeta. The only other item to show up in Google News on that subject in recent days is this news release, shown below. I’m not wise to the ways of the Middle East, so I don’t know whether this is unusual or not, although it does say ‘Special News Update’. A subtle hint of an announcement to come, perhaps?
http://www.uaeonlinepromotion.com/pressrelease2010.htm @UAE Press Release
Dubai | Special Report | 16/10/2004 | Print this page
NEWS & EVENTS - NEWS RELEASES -@HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
@HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan is the Father of United Arab Emirates.....A CARING HEART...........(UAE Special News Update)
Sheikh Zayed is truly one of the world greatest rulers, environmentalist, a philanthropist and a beloved leader.
On the second week of October 2004 of this millennium the UAE remembers its most prominent Leader. Talking Business Publications, The Information & Technology Publishing Group, matccopublishers and AIPCE, the World Wide Publisher pay tribute here....
Sheikh Zayed, the grandson of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa al Nahyan who ruled the Emirate of Abu Dhabi from 1855 to 1909, the longest reign in the Emirate's history is one of the Arab world's longest serving Presidents. He has played a leading role in the governing of the UAE, and of his own Emirate, Abu Dhabi, for nearly half a century.
Just thinking out loud, if the news of his death is announced in the next couple of weeks:
Which world leaders would attend any memorial service? In the current climate, an interesting security challenge, for sure!
Who would be the successor, and where would their sympathies lie?
A couple of news sites to keep an eye on:
http://www.gulf-news.com/ http://www.dubai.com/