Forward – First impressions – The majlis and the mirage – An oasis called Buraimi – Winds of change – ‘Give me agriculture and I assure you of civilization’ – Taming the desert – The future in the palm of our hands – Discovering new dimensions – House of hospitality – Growing up with Al Ain – Miracles in the sand – Fast forward to the future – Founding a new nation – Mapping an ancient trail – Our Pearl Harbor – The ‘blessed tree’ – ‘He’ had a dream – Honor comes to Al Ain – Eyes set on the future – The icon of Abu Dhabi’s history – Photographic records – Appendix – Select bibliography.

Abdul Hafeez Khan Al Yousefi, popularly known as ‘Khabeer Khan’ (now retired), served as Agricultural Advisor to the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He was the first and only university graduate in Agriculture Science when he landed in Abu Dhabi on 7th September 1962 at the invitation of Sheikh Zayed then serving as the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region…Through the 1960s, Khan spent most of his time with Sheikh Zayed in his passionate drive for making the desert green. Whether in his house, which happened to be the only properly built structure in the region in 1962, or in the desert, or wherever Sheikh Zayed happened to be at the time, a deep companionship developed between the two men through their commitment to a common cause.

Through his vivid recollections and reminiscences of time spent with and lessons learnt from his illustrious mentor, who exercised a magnetic charm on all around him, Abdul Hafeez Khan pays tribute to Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan – the man who made the desert bloom.