It all begins with the Founder

On the first day of their Journey of the Union, students got to go to the house where Sheikh Zayed lived.

Young men are reflected in the water of an irrigation channel as they explore Al Ain Oasis on the first day of a 10-day trip through seven emirates leading to the 43rd National Day.

AL AIN // Youngsters from all over the UAE started a ten-day-long journey of the emirates by visiting the old house of Sheikh Zayed, the Founder of the nation.

The house is preserved as Al Ain Palace Museum.

Excited to be on the trip, the youngsters, aged between 15 and 17, gathered around, chirping and talking about the experience of travelling across the country and being in Sheikh Zayed’s house, which many of them said was “very traditional”.

The teenagers are part of a trip called Journey of the Union, which has been organised and implemented by Al Bayt Mitwahid, an association that was formed earlier this year by employees of the Crown Prince Court.

The objective of the initiative is to cast light on the achievements of each of the emirates over the past 43 years, and foster greater awareness of the “journey” of these emirates.

Two boys and two girls from each emirate were selected to be a part of the programme.

The journey, which began yesterday, will take the pupils to landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Masdar City and the under-construction Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi, among others.

“Al Ain is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed and thus we chose this as the starting point of our journey,” said Ayesha AlBakoush, representative of Al Bayt Mitwahid and leader of the journey.

Built in 1910, the palace and home of the ruler was converted into a museum in 1998.

It used to be the home of the ruling family and is a significant place.

“Through the next 10 days, we will be showing children sites of industrial, government, historical and environmental importance and development,” said Ms AlBakoush.

“They will also be interacting with important personalities who have contributed to the development of UAE.”

Ruaa Al Shehhi, 16, from Ras Al Khaimah, a participant in the journey, said: “I am very proud to be a part of this journey and hope that it will be a good experience. It’s also a great way to meet people from different emirates and get to know their way of life.”

At the Al Ain Palace Museum, Sultan bin Ahmed Al Kuwaiti, who was representing the museum, spoke to the group about the importance of various sites.

He showed the participants the majlis where people would come to meet Sheikh Zayed and talked to them about the significance of the place.

They were given a tour of a room that houses the family tree of the rulers and their portraits.

“I came to know that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was born here and UAE started from this very place,” said Sheikha Al Bayarq, a 15-year-old who lives in Umm Al Quwain.

“I am very excited to learn these things. I want to know about the past and about the ruling family so that later I may be able to inform others about these facts.”

Ahmed Al Bahri, a 15-year-old from Dubai, said it was the first time he had visited Al Ain.

“I found the palace museum very beautiful. It was very traditional. I think I am going to learn many things about my country in the next few days,” he said.

“This is the first time I have come here. We have learnt many things through this visit and also made new friends from different parts of the country. That is also a learning experience,” said Fatemah Al Salamy, 15.

After a tour of the palace museum, the students enjoyed a walk in Al Ain Oasis.

Mohammed Al Bahr, 15, from Ras Al Khaimah, said: “For most of us, this is the first time in an oasis. It’s wonderful and we can see what our country used to be like and what people would do earlier.

“We are the sons of this country and we should see these things and know about them.”

Ali Saif Shawi, a 16-year-old from Umm Al Quwain, said: “This is the culture of the emirates and we are proud of it. I feel happy we are seeing these things. Others should see them, too.”