UAE Establishes 'Zayed The Founder Day' to Immortalize Founding Father's Legacy

President Sheikh Mohamed has announced the creation of a new national day dedicated to celebrating the profound "life and legacy" of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This annual observance, to be known as Zayed the Founder Day and marked on January 7, aims to honor Sheikh Zayed's "vision, generosity and service to humanity." According to President Sheikh Mohamed, the day will serve as a vital opportunity to ensure that Sheikh Zayed's guiding principles continue to shape the nation's ongoing progress.

"The UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, forever remains in the hearts of the people of the UAE," President Sheikh Mohamed stated on the social platform X. "As he led efforts to establish the Union, laid its foundations, and nurtured its development, his life and legacy were defined by his vision, generosity, and service to humanity. Today, we declare 7 January as Zayed the Founder Day, a new annual national occasion dedicated to celebrating his enduring legacy, transforming wisdom into action, and ensuring these values continue to inspire our nation on its steadfast path of progress towards the future."

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, lauded this initiative as a significant step in championing Sheikh Zayed's pivotal role in the nation's formation. "The announcement by His Highness the President establishing Zayed the Founder Day renews the legacy of the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, and the values upon which our nation was built," Sheikh Mansour wrote on X. "The greatest tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed is that his vision lives within us, and his values remain firmly rooted in generations to come."

Sheikh Zayed, who served as the UAE's first president, was instrumental in uniting the emirates to form the nation on December 2, 1971. He guided the country through a period of rapid growth, significantly influencing its transformation on both regional and global stages until his passing on the 19th day of Ramadan in 2004. His enduring impact is still keenly felt across the Emirates and beyond. Institutions and projects worldwide, including the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, bear his name, reflecting his global influence. During his tenure as Ruler of Abu Dhabi and UAE President, the country's humanitarian and development aid exceeded Dh90 billion, reaching 117 UN-represented countries, underscoring his extensive generosity.