The President of the State opens the Zayed National Museum in the presence of the rulers of the Emirates

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, in the presence of Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council of the Union and Rulers of the Emirates, officially opened the Zayed National Museum in the Cultural District on Saadiyat Island, coinciding with the country’s celebrations of the 54th Union Day.

The opening was witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, and His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Qasimi. Al Khaimah, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Presidential Office.

It was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, and His Highness Sheikh Rashid. Bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Deputy Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, and Lt. General His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman The Cabinet, Minister of the Interior, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office for Special Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor to His Highness the President of the State, and a number of sheikhs, ministers and senior state officials.

The Zayed National Museum documents the legacy of the late founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, and tells the story of this land and its history from ancient times to the present day through an interactive journey that combines the latest technologies, audio-visual experiences, artifacts and historical collectibles, while the design of the museum is an architectural masterpiece inspired by the shape of a falcon’s wing during flight, to embody the ambition of the UAE and its deep connection to its natural environment and cultural heritage.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, affirmed that the Zayed National Museum is a national edifice that commemorates the path of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, his approach to leadership and construction, and his humanitarian vision, in addition to the fact that it links the ancient history of the Emirates to its present and future, and introduces our culture, heritage, and traditions throughout history.

His Highness pointed out the importance of the museum in documenting the most prominent historical milestones that the country went through and the national achievements it achieved that shaped the features of its path and consolidated its position.

His Highness added that preserving the legacy of the founder Sheikh Zayed, may God have mercy on him, and documenting and immortalizing it so that it remains a source of inspiration for future generations is a shared national responsibility.

His Highness said in a blog post on the “X” platform yesterday: “Preserving the legacy of the founding father Sheikh Zayed, may God have mercy on him, and immortalizing him so that he remains a source of inspiration for future generations is a major priority and a national responsibility. The Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, which was inaugurated in the presence of my fellow rulers, represents a cultural edifice that tells the story of Zayed and commemorates his career and values ​​of leadership, construction and humanity, and a bridge that connects our history to our present and future, and a window to our culture, heritage and traditions throughout history.

His Highness the President and Their Highnesses the Rulers and Sheikhs toured the museum, during which they viewed exhibits, documents, artifacts and collectibles that deal with prominent moments in the history of the UAE and its past that is steeped in the roots of history and the legacy of the founder Sheikh Zayed, and includes a collection of audio recordings, photographs, archival video clips and personal collectibles.

The Zayed National Museum’s collection includes more than 3,000 pieces, of which 1,500 selected pieces are displayed to tell a story about the history of this land.

The museum contains a gallery dedicated to temporary exhibitions, and Al Masar Garden, which serves as an outdoor exhibition hall with a length of 600 metres, through which the museum tells the story of the land of the Emirates throughout its cultural and human history.

It also includes six permanent exhibition halls: the “Our Beginnings” hall dedicated to narrating the biography of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan through recordings of his voice, photographs, archival video clips, personal collectibles, letters, loaned pieces, and installation works, in addition to learning about the early years of the founding of the state while displaying the historical and cultural influences that shaped Sheikh Zayed’s vision, his personality, starting from his upbringing in the city of Al Ain, all the way to the unification of the Emirates, and the stories that shaped his legacy and continue to be a source of inspiration. Until the present day, in addition to the “Through Our Nature” exhibition hall, which is an interactive journey that takes visitors to the heart of the diverse natural environments in the Emirates, and the geographical impact in shaping nature that has provided a sustainable life along the mountains, deserts, oases and coasts over thousands of years through artistic models, natural samples, and multimedia installation works.

It also includes the “To Our Ancestors” exhibition hall, which includes traces of human presence on this land for thousands of years, along with the “Within Our Connections” exhibition hall, which introduces visitors to ancient societies and the role of modern technologies, materials and science in creating an identity and common ties, and the “On Our Coasts” exhibition hall, which tells the story of the UAE’s ancient maritime heritage, and there is the “From Our Roots” gallery, which sheds light on the Emirati identity by introducing traditional lifestyles, social customs and traditions, and economic activities that prevailed in the interior regions of the United Arab Emirates.

On the occasion of its opening, the museum presents a diverse program that includes live performances, interactive workshops, guided tours, and innovative activities, giving visitors of all ages the opportunity to explore and participate in this distinguished cultural event.

Head of State:

• Zayed National Museum is a national monument that commemorates the journey of the founding father, may God have mercy on him, his approach to leadership and construction, and his humanitarian vision.

• The museum documents the most prominent historical milestones of the country and the national achievements it achieved that shaped the features of its path and consolidated its position.

• The museum links the UAE’s ancient history with its present and future and introduces our culture, heritage and traditions throughout history.

• Preserving the legacy of the founder Sheikh Zayed, may God have mercy on him, and documenting and immortalizing it so that it remains a source of inspiration for future generations, is a shared national responsibility.