Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, served as the representative of the ruler in the Al Ain area and previously held the position of Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and Vice Chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council. In November 2018, the road connecting Al Ain and Dubai was renamed in his honor.
Sheikh Tahnoun was the brother-in-law of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan through the marriage of his sister, Sheikha Hissa, to Sheikh Zayed.
**His Life:**
Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan was among the few who accompanied the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, gaining practical and knowledgeable experience as he was well-informed about the conditions and news of the people of Al Ain since he was the representative of the ruler in the Eastern Region (now Al Ain). He was one of the men in whom Sheikh Zayed placed complete trust, being appointed on September 11, 1966, to his first official position as Chairman of the Agriculture Department and Mayor of Al Ain, just one month after Sheikh Zayed took over the rule of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Tahnoun was among those who worked with Sheikh Zayed on the federal project that culminated in the announcement of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. Before this, he held the position of Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture from July 1, 1971, and was appointed as the representative of the ruler in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi on August 9 of the same year.
On July 8, 1972, a decree was issued appointing Tahnoun bin Mohammed as a member of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Development and Economic Fund (currently the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development), and he became Chairman of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in 1973.
In 1974, a decree was issued appointing him as head of the Municipality and Agriculture Department in Al Ain. With the establishment of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, he became a member of the authority's board, with his membership renewed in 1980.
In 1977, he became Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Agriculture and Municipalities Department in Al Ain. In 1988, he was appointed as a member of the Supreme Petroleum Council by the Head of State.
Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan was known for his closeness and direct communication with the people of the Al Ain area, as most of his official positions and his distinguished record of service to the state and its citizens were centered around his work in the oasis city, making him connected to citizens' affairs and directly engaged with them in their joys and occasions.
He, may God rest his soul, had ten sons:
- Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan
- Sheikh Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan
- Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan
- Sheikh Mansour bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan
- Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan
- Sheikh Hazza bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan
- Sheikh Dhiyab bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan
- Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan
- Sheikh Zayed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan
