The key facts
- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed has established Zayed the Founder Day, to be observed annually on 7 January
- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed established Zayed Founder's Day, to be celebrated annually on January 7
- The holiday is dedicated to the 'life and legacy' of the first UAE president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
- During Sheikh Zayed's rule, the country's humanitarian and development aid exceeded 90 billion dirhams and reached 117 UN countries
- During Sheikh Zayed's rule, the country's humanitarian and development aid exceeded AED 90 billion and reached 117 UN countries
A new date on the UAE calendar
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has announced the establishment of a new annual national holiday — Zayed the Founder Day — which will be observed on 7 January. He made the announcement on his X account, as reported by The National.
What was said about the purpose of the holiday
According to the President, the new holiday is dedicated to the 'life and legacy' of the founding father of the UAE — the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan — and is intended to honour his 'vision, generosity and service to humanity'. Sheikh Mohamed stressed that the annual date should serve as an opportunity for Sheikh Zayed's values to continue guiding the country's development. 'The founding father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, will forever remain in the hearts of the people of the UAE,' the President wrote. He also noted that Sheikh Zayed led the efforts to establish the Union, laid its foundations and cared for its development.
Reaction from the country's leadership
UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed described the establishment of the holiday as a step that renews the legacy of the founding father and the values on which the state was built. 'The highest tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed is that his vision lives on in us and his values are firmly rooted in future generations,' The National quoted him as saying, in remarks also published on X.
Context: Sheikh Zayed's legacy
Sheikh Zayed became the first President of the UAE after the emirates united on 2 December 1971 and remained a prominent figure on the world stage until his death in 2004. During his rule, the country's humanitarian and development aid, according to the Wam agency, exceeded 90 billion dirhams and reached 117 of the 193 UN member states. Institutions and projects bearing his name exist on every continent, including the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Paediatric Surgical Innovation in Washington and the mosque named after him in Stockholm. The Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, which opened ahead of last year's National Day celebrations, also serves to preserve his legacy. The new holiday on 7 January complements existing commemorative dates associated with the founder's name — in particular, Zayed Humanitarian Day, observed on the 19th day of the month of Ramadan, on which Sheikh Zayed died in 2004.
