On this day, 21 years ago, the man responsible for the unification of the UAE and much of its early development died.
It was the 19th day of Ramadan and a time when news was heard on radios, television or by word of mouth.
It was no secret that Sheikh Zayed had been in fragile health. He was 84 and his public appearances had become rare.
A TV presenter on a local station delivered the news in the evening. Overcome with emotion, he said Sheikh Zayed, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, the Founding Father, was dead.
All pretence of normal life ceased; offices were deserted and shops closed.
Radio stations played the Quran and flags were lowered as a sombre mood enveloped the country.
Forty days of mourning were declared and schools and government offices closed for eight days, to reopen after Eid Al Fitr.
The funeral was held the day after his death, with prayers held at Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed the First Mosque, in Al Bateen, and attended by the rulers of every emirate and leaders of Arab nations.
The prayers and burial were streamed live on local television.
Helicopter footage showed a sea of white as kandura-clad men poured out of the mosque and into almost a dozen large parked buses.
Sheikh Zayed's body, cloaked in the UAE flag, was taken to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — under construction at the time — where he was laid to rest.
Thousands of people of all backgrounds and creeds lined the streets, waiting beneath the shade of the trees, to mourn the much-loved leader, known affectionately as Baba Zayed.
Men and women cried, some threw themselves to the ground while others stood in solemn silence.
Crowds of people clamoured around the vehicle, waving pictures of the country's Ruler and trying to touch the car.
Those who did not head to the streets prayed at home or in mosques.
Sheikh Zayed was born in Abu Dhabi on May 6, 1918. He became Ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966 and President of the UAE at its birth in 1971.
After the death of Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Khalifa was named President. Sheikh Khalifa died on May 13, 2022.
In 2013, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced that November 3 would be marked with Flag Day, a celebration of Sheikh Khalifa's accession with the raising the country's flag.
The day aims to remind everyone not just of the UAE's glowing memories of the past but also to consider the promise of an even brighter future.
The anniversary of Sheikh Zayed's death is marked each year on Ramadan 19 with Zayed Humanitarian Day in commemoration for his legacy of charity and giving that is upheld and continued in the UAE to this day.
It is also an annual event to announce the launch of several humanitarian and charity initiatives through official community events held in the Emirates.
*This story first appeared in The National in 2021
Why the Tourist Club?
Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.
In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.
It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.
Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.
Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.
Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
(Because Music)
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
the pledge
I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance
I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice
I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own
I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself
I pledge to live in harmony with my community
I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness
I pledge to do my part to create peace for all
I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community
I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity
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Most match wins on clay
Guillermo Vilas - 659
Manuel Orantes - 501
Thomas Muster - 422
Rafael Nadal - 399 *
Jose Higueras - 378
Eddie Dibbs - 370
Ilie Nastase - 338
Carlos Moya - 337
Ivan Lendl - 329
Andres Gomez - 322
