How Zayed National Museum helps us understand UAE's Founding Father

The Zayed National Museum offers an intimate look into the history of the UAE and the life of its founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Each gallery within the museum traces the story of the nation from early human life to modern history, with a strong emphasis on Sheikh Zayed's mindset and the factors that shaped him.

The museum's first gallery, Our Beginning, sets the stage by exploring not only the formation of the UAE in 1971 but also the events that occurred before that, which molded Sheikh Zayed into the leader he was. Hind Al Khoori, the museum's marketing and communications director, explains that their approach stretches back to the very beginning of human life on the land, 300,000 years ago.

Visitors can see how Sheikh Zayed was both humble and commanding, as evidenced by a photograph featured in the museum. The photo captures his fiery eyes, juxtaposed with an image of him leaning on his traditional stick, or asa, which symbolizes his connection to the land. Al Khoori also shares a story about Sheikh Zayed inviting Danish archaeologists to investigate tombs on Marawah Island in 1959, demonstrating his appreciation for understanding the history of the region.

Among the museum's most immediate connections to the past is the Marawah woman, a reconstruction of a burial site dating back 8,000 years. This woman, who was buried in a jacket made of feathers, is one of several women whose stories are highlighted in the Women of the Nation tour. This one-hour thematic tour, running from August 1 until the end of September to commemorate Emirati Women's Day, offers a deeper understanding of women's roles in Emirati society.

Throughout the museum, stories of trade, diplomacy, and everyday life are shared, including the educational, healthcare, and falaj irrigation systems that were essential to the community. A striking project is the Magan Boat, a reconstruction of a vessel from about 4,000 years ago, built in partnership with Zayed University and NYU Abu Dhabi using natural materials and techniques.

The museum houses about 1,500 objects from a collection of nearly 8,000, with the collection continually growing through loans and donations. Temporary exhibitions and object rotations ensure that there is always something new for visitors to see. The Zayed National Museum has been recognized as one of the world's most beautiful museums of 2026 by Prix Versailles, the annual international prize presented at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

Al Khoori hopes that visitors leave the museum with a sense of pride and connection, both to the UAE's rich history and to the resilience of its people. She emphasizes that the museum is a living museum, highlighting the enduring spirit of the land and its inhabitants. The Emirati guides and hosts, including senior Emiratis leading tours, bring their knowledge and experience, fostering a multisensory experience that is deeply rooted in the UAE's heritage.