Watch: Zayed National Museum opens in Abu Dhabi during Eid Al Etihad 2025
Rulers of emirates join President at landmark cultural inauguration
ABU DHABI – His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has inaugurated the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District in the presence of the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates.
The ceremony formed part of the nationwide celebrations marking the 54th Eid Al Etihad. Set within one of the region’s most prominent cultural destinations, the inauguration underscored the museum’s importance as a national institution dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the UAE and its Founding Fathers.
UAE President inaugurates Zayed National Museum in presence of Rulers of Emirates as part of 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations#WamNews https://t.co/ZDoyaMfGRn pic.twitter.com/yhRTtyDGiq
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The ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah; His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah; His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain; and His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also attended.
Also present were His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence; His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah; His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Deputy Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah; Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Deputy Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain.
Additional attendees included Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region; Lt General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President, along with senior officials and dignitaries.
Zayed National Museum
The Zayed National Museum presents a comprehensive narrative of the UAE, tracing its development from ancient civilisations to the modern era. It spotlights the accomplishments, aspirations, and cultural identity of the country through a meticulously curated blend of technology, artistry, and historical material.
Dedicated primarily to the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father, the museum uses immersive installations, archival recordings, photographs, and original artefacts to portray his leadership, humanitarian principles, environmental stewardship, and nation-building vision. Architecturally, the museum is distinguished by its dramatic silhouette, inspired by the wings of a falcon, symbolising the country’s ambitions and its long-standing connection with its natural environment.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stated that the Zayed National Museum stands as a national tribute honouring the values and achievements of the late Sheikh Zayed. He emphasised that the museum serves as an anchor between past and present, offering future generations a gateway to understanding the UAE’s heritage and the foundations upon which it was built. He highlighted the museum’s role in documenting decisive milestones that have shaped the country’s identity and global position.
He further affirmed that safeguarding the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed and conveying its lessons to younger generations is a shared national duty.
Museum tour
Following the inauguration, the President, accompanied by the Rulers and others, toured the museum’s permanent exhibitions. The visit included a detailed exploration of documents, audio recordings, photographs, archaeological finds, and the personal belongings of the Founding Father. Exhibits also feature rare footage and archival materials that recount landmark events in the nation’s history.
The museum’s extensive collection comprises more than 3,000 items, of which 1,500 are currently on display. These objects collectively outline the UAE’s story across centuries of human settlement, cultural development, and economic activity.
Visitors will also find a dedicated space for temporary exhibitions designed to host rotating displays, partnerships, and thematic programmes. Adjacent to the museum lies Al Masar Garden, a 600-metre open-air gallery featuring installations inspired by the UAE’s diverse landscapes and the stories that shaped the country’s journey.
What does the new museum feature?
The museum features six permanent galleries, each offering a distinct perspective on the history, culture, and identity of the UAE.
Our beginning
This gallery focuses on the life, leadership, and enduring influence of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Through personal letters, early photographs, voice recordings, and video archives, visitors encounter pivotal moments, from his early years in Al Ain to his role in unifying the Emirates. The gallery also highlights cultural, tribal, and historical influences that informed his vision for the nation.
Through nature
This gallery offers an interactive journey through the UAE’s mountainous regions, oases, deserts, and coastal ecosystems. Displays include multisensory experiences and natural specimens that illustrate how communities adapted to varied landscapes across millennia, shaping sustainable practices that remain embedded in cultural memory.
To ancestors
One gallery is dedicated to archaeological discoveries that reveal thousands of years of human presence in the region. Artefacts include tools, ceramics, jewellery, and excavated structures that illustrate early trade, craftsmanship, and settlement patterns.
Our connections
This gallery examines early social networks across the region, with a focus on science, innovation, and exchanges of knowledge. Displays show how communication, navigation, and early forms of technology contributed to shaping communities and ensuring their resilience.
By coasts
This gallery underscores the UAE’s maritime identity. It documents the nation’s long-established seafaring traditions, shipbuilding skills, fishing heritage, and pearl diving economy, all of which played vital roles in establishing regional and international links.
To roots
Celebrating Emirati identity, this gallery highlights traditional ways of life in interior regions, including desert communities and oasis settlements. It showcases customs, crafts, oral traditions, and the economic activities that shaped early society.
Public rngagement
To mark its opening, the Zayed National Museum launches an extensive cultural programme designed for visitors of all ages. Activities include live performances, interactive workshops, guided tours, and creative sessions aimed at deepening engagement with the museum’s themes. The programme is expected to attract residents, tourists, researchers, and school groups, offering them an immersive introduction to the UAE’s history and cultural achievements.
Workshops will explore topics such as archaeology, traditional crafts, and environmental conservation. Guided tours will provide curated journeys through the galleries, allowing visitors to gain insights into the historical events and personal stories featured in the displays. Performances will showcase elements of local heritage, presenting traditional arts in a contemporary setting.
The museum’s integration of digital technologies with historic material ensures that visitors can engage with the content through interactive platforms, soundscapes, augmented visuals, and multisensory elements that bring the nation’s story to life.