Maqta Bridge helped to connect the emirate when it opened in 1968. Photos by Victor Besa / The National
Maqta Bridge helped to connect the emirate when it opened in 1968. Photos by Victor Besa / The National
Maqta Bridge helped to connect the emirate when it opened in 1968. Photos by Victor Besa / The National
Maqta Bridge helped to connect the emirate when it opened in 1968. Photos by Victor Besa / The National

Historic areas of Abu Dhabi and an island are renamed to promote heritage


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Two popular areas in Abu Dhabi have been merged and renamed as part of efforts to promote local heritage across the emirate.

Al Maqta and Bawabat Abu Dhabi, two areas separated from the main island by a body of water will be henceforth known as Rabdan.

Rabdan was the name of Founding Father Sheikh Zayed's horse and is the name one of President Sheikh Khalifa's horses. It was descended from the thoroughbred Arabian horses owned by the Al Nahyan dynasty for hundreds of years, officials said.

The name was changed to "embody the importance of heritage in naming cities and areas across the emirate."

Al Maqta, meaning section or passage, is a historically significant area of Abu Dhabi. It was separated from the mainland by the sea, it providing a natural fortress, but was also the site of a fort; Al Maqa Tower. Prior to the construction of Al Maqta bridge in 1968, the narrow waterway had to be crossed by car and only during low-tide. The tower guarded the crossing.

The bridge became the doorway to the remaining emirates.

This aerial shot of Al Maqta Bridge, Abu Dhabi, was taken by Alain Saint-Hilaire in 1975. The French photographer won an Abu Dhabi Award in 2011 for his portrayal of the emirate’s development over several years Alain Saint-Hilaire
This aerial shot of Al Maqta Bridge, Abu Dhabi, was taken by Alain Saint-Hilaire in 1975. The French photographer won an Abu Dhabi Award in 2011 for his portrayal of the emirate’s development over several years Alain Saint-Hilaire

Bawabat Abu Dhabi, which translates to the doorway to Abu Dhabi, lies just opposite Al Maqta. It connects to the city's mainland via Mussaffah bridge, which was built in the late 1970s.

On Wednesday, the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City said the two areas would be merged into one and named Rabdan. The authority said the name "represents strength, courage and fearlessness, and reflects the UAE's interest in thoroughbreds."

Ras Ghorab Island was also renamed on Wednesday, following orders from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. It was renamed Al Aliah, which means "the high one". It also means the upper part of a spear or sword and was chosen to describe the waters of the sea surrounding the island, which is located just off Saadiyat.

Last week, Abu Dhabi Municipality announced that Al Dhabiya, an area along the West coast of the emirate, between Al Ruwais and Mussaffah, would be renamed Al Nouf to highlight the historical importance of the area.

The decision was made to “ingrain local heritage in the names of regions and cities”.

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$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal

Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.

School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.

“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.  

“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”

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Ram Buxani earned a salary of 125 rupees per month in 1959

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He received the wages plus food, accommodation, a haircut and cinema ticket twice a month and actuals for shaving and laundry expenses

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His father Jivat Ram worked in general merchandize store in Gibraltar and the Canary Islands in the early 1930s

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