The crucial task of interpreting history in order to better understand the past and plan the future becomes even more important when dealing with an individual who shaped history and had a lasting impact at both the local and international levels. Sheikh Zayed Bin Khalifa, who ruled the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as Sheikh Zayed the First, or ‘Zayed the Great’, for 54 years between 1855 and 1909, is one such individual.

The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage is committed to raising awareness of all aspects of national identity and heritage. It seeks to shed light upon our ancestral heritage so that current and future generations can appreciate the way in which the past forms our development.

This project is part of a comprehensive public education campaign to raise awareness about prominent figures in the history of Abu Dhabi and the UAE and highlight their achievements. It is also aimed at reviving the legacy of Sheikh Zayed the First and presenting it to new generations. The campaign is intended to commemorate the centenary of Sheikh Zayed the First’s death on 19 May 1909.