Zayed the Founder Day: Why the UAE chose January 7

President Sheikh Mohamed has announced the establishment of Zayed the Founder Day, a new national holiday to honor the late UAE Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The day will be observed on January 7 and aims to pay tribute to Sheikh Zayed's vision, generosity, and service to humanity. Known as the UAE's first president, Sheikh Zayed led efforts to establish the Union and nurture its development, always guided by his unwavering vision and commitment to his people.

In a statement, Sheikh Mohamed declared January 7 as Zayed the Founder Day, emphasizing the day's significance in perpetuating Sheikh Zayed's enduring legacy and inspiring the nation's progress towards the future. The UAE's Vice President, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, praised the President's decision, stating that the new holiday renews the legacy of Sheikh Zayed and ensures his values remain firmly rooted in generations to come.

Sheikh Zayed served as the UAE's first president after unifying the emirates to form a new nation on December 2, 1971, playing a pivotal role in the country's rapid rise on the regional and global stage. His contributions, including his significant humanitarian and development aid efforts, have left a lasting impact on the UAE and beyond.