The UAE leaders took to Twitter to congratulate astronaut Hazzaa Al Mansoori for becoming the first Emirati in space.
"The arrival of Hazaa Al Mansouri in space is a message to all Arab youth," wrote His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Over two years ago, my brother Mohammed bin Zayed & I launched the UAE Astronaut Programme. Today, we celebrate the historic flight of the first Emirati Astronaut to the International Space Station. An Emirati achievement we take pride in and dedicate to Muslim & Arab nations. pic.twitter.com/rVQej7IxXW
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) September 25, 2019
"This event strengthens our confidence in our youth who will take our nation to new heights and reinforces our ambitions for the future," added His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
I proudly watched as Hazza Al Mansouri lifted off into space. This event strengthens our confidence in our youth who will take our nation to new heights and reinforces our ambitions for the future. We pray for Hazza’s success and his safe return home.
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) September 25, 2019
The Soyuz spacecraft carrying Al Mansoori, NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and Russian commander Oleg Skripochka lifted off from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome at 5:56 pm UAE time on Wednesday.

UAE postpones vehicle licensing limit for residents
UAE Government Annual Meetings key to reviewing national priorities
New pedestrian bridge links Dubai Mall Metro Station and Coca-Cola Arena
High-achieving Union teams honoured at UAE Government Annual Meetings
Al Gergawi: UAE accelerates development with over AED 4 trillion in projects
Abu Dhabi launches lifestyle programme to help citizens get healthier
5 Esaad cards up for grabs in Dubai Police's 5-week traffic contest
Nominations open for Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award
Dubai Police warns against using phones while driving after four-way crash
RTA opens 1,650-metre Al Khaleej Street Tunnel
Sharjah Ruler allocates AED 4.5 million to stock libraries with book fair collection
UAE expresses solidarity with Egypt over train collision
UAE President sends Diwali greetings in special message
UAE National Guard rescues 22 from cargo ship fire in Sea of Oman
Sheikh Abdullah congratulates Venezuelan FM on appointment
UAE President visits an Emirati family at Abu Dhabi home
UAE strongly condemns shooting incident in Poland's Krakow
UAE foils attempt to smuggle 200,000 Captagon pills, dismantles drug network
