The National

In pictures: The life of Sheikh Zayed from the National Archives

  • UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who died in November, 2004. All photos: National Archives
    UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who died in November, 2004. All photos: National Archives
  • On a visit in 1976 to Ghayathi, a small town in rural Al Gharbia, Sheikh Zayed listened to a performance on a rababa a traditional stringed instrument
    On a visit in 1976 to Ghayathi, a small town in rural Al Gharbia, Sheikh Zayed listened to a performance on a rababa a traditional stringed instrument
  • Sheikh Zayed inspects agricultural projects in the Western Region in 1976
    Sheikh Zayed inspects agricultural projects in the Western Region in 1976
  • Sheikh Zayed at the wheel of his Range Rover during a 1976 visit to Pakistan
    Sheikh Zayed at the wheel of his Range Rover during a 1976 visit to Pakistan
  • Sheikh Zayed on the same trip to Pakistan
    Sheikh Zayed on the same trip to Pakistan
  • Praying with Ahmed Al Suwaidi on Al Maqta Bridge, which opened in 1968
    Praying with Ahmed Al Suwaidi on Al Maqta Bridge, which opened in 1968
  • Sheikh Zayed's love of the sea was almost as great as his love of the desert
    Sheikh Zayed's love of the sea was almost as great as his love of the desert
  • Meeting in the Eastern Region in 1978 with citizens and officials, including Ahmed Al Suwaidi, seated left, the first foreign minister
    Meeting in the Eastern Region in 1978 with citizens and officials, including Ahmed Al Suwaidi, seated left, the first foreign minister
  • Sheikh Zayed inspecting dates ripening on a palm tree
    Sheikh Zayed inspecting dates ripening on a palm tree
  • On a visit to Pakistan in the 1970s
    On a visit to Pakistan in the 1970s
  • Sheikh Zayed with his brother, Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in front of official portraits during a visit to London in 1957
    Sheikh Zayed with his brother, Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in front of official portraits during a visit to London in 1957
  • Traditional dancing in Al Ain after Ramadan, about 1960
    Traditional dancing in Al Ain after Ramadan, about 1960
  • Sheikh Zayed with Archie Lamb, the British political agent in Abu Dhabi from 1965 to 1968
    Sheikh Zayed with Archie Lamb, the British political agent in Abu Dhabi from 1965 to 1968
  • Sheikh Zayed, photographed by Ronald Codrai in 1952. At the time he was the Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region
    Sheikh Zayed, photographed by Ronald Codrai in 1952. At the time he was the Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region
  • Sheikh Zayed relaxing in the 1970s
    Sheikh Zayed relaxing in the 1970s
  • Sheikh Zayed pores over an official document
    Sheikh Zayed pores over an official document