Stepping into history at Dubai farm where Sheikh Zayed planted seeds of a nation

Nestled away in Al Khawaneej area of Dubai lies an unassuming farm where a crucial early chapter of the UAE's story was written.

It was there in March 1971 that key figures in the formation of the country, guided by UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, gathered for 16 days of thoughtful conversation that helped sow the seeds for the new nation.

They sat together in the shade of palm trees and in courtyards, sharing coffee and dates to build trust and kinship, as they developed a blueprint for a momentous union that would create a country in December that year.

President hosts iftar at historic farm - in pictures

Now, 54 years on, President Sheikh Mohamed and the Rulers of the emirates returned to the farm to enjoy iftar and celebrate significant moments in a success story with many more pages to be filled.

Sheikh Mohamed announced after the meeting that the farm would be named as a union site, joining Union House and Arqoob Al Sedira. It is a designation bestowed on places "pivotal to the establishment of the Union".

The recognition of its place in history is a reminder that the roots of unity do not always begin in palaces or grand halls.

The farm is currently closed to the public, but officials say it is being renovated. It will soon open its doors again, allowing new generations of UAE citizens and residents to step back in time and embrace the country's rich history.

The farm was owned by Sheikh Zayed, who soon after the UAE was founded took steps to ensure its legacy was in the hands of its citizens.

Sheikh Zayed signed a document on July 7, 1972, ordering that the presidential farm be entrusted to Saif Al Siri, the oldest of three brothers who cherished the opportunity to conserve its lands.

Custodians of history

From that day forward, Mr Al Siri and his brothers, Mattar and Awad, tended to the farm. It was an honour passed down through the generations.

The National spoke to Ghaith Matar Al Siri Al Qemzi and Soltan Saif Al Siri Al Qemzi, the children of two of the three Al Siri brothers, about their deep-rooted connection to the historic site.

“This farm, we treated it like it was ours,” said Soltan, Saif’s son. “Our parents, us, our kids and now even our grandchildren.”

The farm was not just land – it was a home, a gathering place, a quiet witness to history. It had a large swimming pool, which Sheikh Zayed loved. He would meet Rulers and close friends there, often by the water. Palm trees lined the grounds, and there were trees growing fruit such as mangoes across the site.

But the heart of it all was the palace. That is where Sheikh Zayed stayed during those 16 key days, when he met the Rulers to discuss the formation of the Union. He continued to visit the farm for years afterwards. He only stopped going a few days before his passing on November 2, 2004.

“Sheikh Zayed’s room is still there,” said Ghaith, 42. “Same wooden bed. Same rickety old armchair. It’s like time just … paused.”

For Ghaith, Matar's son, the moment the farm was recognised as a union site was deeply personal. “The fact that the government chose this farm, and that the president came to visit, made such an impact on us and means a lot to the family,” he added.

“It means we are remembered, and this place – our fathers and family – was never forgotten. They’ve lived in our hearts for generations, and now it is time for us to pass on this legacy and share it with the world."

President Sheikh Mohamed greets Ghaith Matar Al Siri Al Qemzi. Photo: Ghaith Matar Sultan Al Siri Al Qemzi

Warm memories of Sheikh Zayed

Soltan, now 48, often visited the farm with his father and uncles. His earliest memories are of weekends spent running between the trees and playing with his cousins, but also of being surrounded by the Rulers.

“I’ve been going since I was six years old,” he said. “We regularly saw Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Rashid [bin Saeed, Ruler of Dubai at the time] and the other Rulers. They had a barza in front of the palace. We’d be playing nearby while history was being made.”

Sheikh Zayed was once told that whenever his image came on TV, Soltan – then just a boy – would stand and salute.

“That day, Sheikh Zayed called me over and invited me to have lunch with him. He asked me why I did that," Soltan said. "I told him I just couldn’t sit when his photo was on the screen or when the national anthem was playing. I had to stand. I was so nervous, but I’ll never forget it.”

The farm closed its doors in 2022 after the last of the brothers, Mattar, died. But even then, it never left the family’s heart.

In his final days, while receiving treatment in Germany, Mattar’s only concerns were that the UAE flag continued to fly above the farm and that Sheikh Zayed’s room was kept clean.

“Whenever we drive past the farm, our hearts ache and our eyes fill with tears,” Soltan said. “This farm holds memories most people never got to witness. We were lucky, but it’s also hard, because we miss it. We miss them.

“To see Sheikh Zayed again, walking between the palm trees with Sheikh Rashid ... there are no words for that. No words at all.”

Squads

Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara

End of free parking

- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18

- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued

- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket

- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.

- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200

- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300

Terminator: Dark Fate

Director: Tim Miller

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis

Rating: 3/5

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer