Tribute to Sheikh Zayed named 'The Founder's Memorial' by Sheikh Mohammed

The memorial will house rarely-seen footage, personal stories and artefacts related to UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed

The opening of a monument honouring UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed is set to take place on Monday night at 9.30pm. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A permanent tribute to the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, has been named, "The Founder’s Memorial" by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Set for inauguration early this year, to coincide with the Year of Zayed and to mark the 100-year anniversary of Sheikh Zayed’s birth, the memorial will house rarely-seen footage, personal stories and artefacts related to the Founding Father.

Located at the intersection of first and second street along Abu Dhabi's Corniche and spanning 3.3 hectares, The Founder’s Memorial will be encircled with native plants from the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula, in keeping with Sheikh Zayed’s commitment to nurturing local flora and fauna.

On Wednesday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said after the announcement, “[the name] Zayed is engraved with the letters made from light in the hearts of millions and has won the respect of the world for his wisdom.”

He said, on Twitter, that Zayed School, of which Sheikh Mohammed is an alumnus, will continue to inspire and enrich the country on its journey to do its best to raise the nation.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed echoes the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi’s sentiments.

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"The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is a guiding star whose vision continues to light a path of progress and prosperity for the UAE nation. We are immensely proud of his visionary leadership and values that underscore his wisdom, as well as the groundwork he laid for our nation’s advocacy of tolerance and co-existence," the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs said.

"Through the establishment of The Founder’s Memorial, it is our intention to foster connections with our nation’s founding father among future generations of Emiratis and for posterity, and to highlight his perceptive leadership to the whole UAE population by providing a place of gathering for the community in which to reflect and celebrate," he said.

The space will also feature an elevated walkway with stunning views of the memorial’s central artwork, and beyond to the Abu Dhabi skyline.