Zayed National Museum will be opening to the public in December and is set to become a keystone of the UAE’s national story.
It is where the history of the United Arab Emirates will be told in full, in a story that spans 300,000 years.
Named after the country’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the museum was founded on the basis of preserving local culture and heritage.
This mission is evident even in the exterior, designed by UK architecture firm Foster+Partners.
Traditions within architecture
Though still a few months away from opening, its five lightweight steel structures are a towering sight in the Saadiyat Cultural District, making the museum a landmark in Abu Dhabi well before its completion next year. The structures were inspired by the country’s tradition of falconry and are each shaped as a feather.
Zayed National Museum's five lightweight steel structures are a towering sight on the Saadiyat Cultural District. Photo: Zayed National Museum
“The structures were designed following in-depth studies on the wings of a falcon, a form that has evolved naturally over several millennia to enable these majestic birds to glide over great distances with minimal effort,” Mouza Al Qemzi, head of the museum’s design and development unit, tells The National.
This design inspiration is not merely an aesthetic one, but serve an important function, drawing from the science of flight as well as a unique local architectural element. The sculptures have been made aerodynamically to act as solar thermal towers, filtering cool air within the museum’s spaces, much like the barjeel wind towers. The museum will be cooled even further by a steady flow of fresh air drawn through underground pipes. In that way, it is a unique amalgamation of traditional techniques and cutting-edge design.
“The influence of the culture and practices of the people of the United Arab Emirates are present throughout the design,” Al Qemzi says. “Zayed National Museum combines ancient sustainability techniques with modern technologies to respond to the climate of the UAE.”
The Al Masar Garden will feature native plants in three zones: desert, oasis and urban. Photo: Zayed National Museum
The museum is housed within a mound, which echoes the topography of the UAE. This platform is walkable and leads up to the base of the five steel structures. The museum will also feature a 400-metre-long garden that stretches from the coastline up to the structure’s entrance. The garden is named Al Masar, which is Arabic for path or course.
The garden will feature a working falaj system with open channels used as part of the drainage system that captures excess water from rain and irrigation, redistributing it to the plants.
“This is a really beautiful part of the journey through the museum,” Al Qezmi says. “It is considered an outdoor gallery because it tells the story of Sheikh Zayed through the landscapes that inspired him, featuring native plants in three zones: desert, oasis and urban.”
The zones will feature interactive elements that will allow visitors to experience and learn more about these different ecosystems. The garden, Al Qemzi says, will also exhibit sculptures and be the site of live performances and cultural events once it opens.
The Six Permanent Galleries
While Al Masar Garden will offer insights into the country’s landscapes, the six permanent galleries within the museum will explore the human history, languages, and culture of the UAE from pre-history to the present. The galleries will be segmented across two floors. There will also be a temporary gallery. The galleries will collectively emphasise the shared history, Islamic values, culture and heritage of the seven emirates.
Sheikh Zayed’s life and vision are the backbone of the museum’s curatorial philosophy. “Sheikh Zayed was fascinated by the untold stories of the people who have inhabited this land over the past 300,000 years,” says Moaza Matar, acting director of the curatorial and collection management department.
Our Beginning will be a gallery dedicated entirely to the country’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Photo: Zayed National Museum
“Throughout his life, he maintained an interest in uncovering the history of the land and the people who had previously walked on the same sands, fished in the same seas and looked up at the same stars. He also took decisive steps to ensure that the country’s cultural heritage was preserved for the benefit of future generations.”
The Our Beginning gallery is dedicated entirely to the country’s Founding Father. The gallery will feature objects and visuals that tell the story of Sheikh Zayed while underscoring his efforts to preserve the history and heritage of the people of the UAE.
Through Our Nature, meanwhile, will feature large dioramas and immersive installations that explore the country’s landscapes and wildlife.
Through Our Connections will examine the development of the Arabic language and the spread of Islam. Photo: Zayed National Museum
To Our Ancestors will delve into the ancient past and early trade with other societies in the Gulf region. The gallery will include major archaeological finds from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages.
The development of the Arabic language and the spread of Islam, as well as the impact of new technologies and knowledge, will be explored in the Through Our Connectionsgallery.
By Our Coasts will examine the development of coastal settlements through pearling, fishing and trading. The gallery will show their role “not only as catalysts for commercial and cultural exchange but also in informing Emirati identity,” Matar says.
Finally, To Our Roots will showcase the traditions, customs and social practices in the inland areas of the UAE.
Highlights of the Collection
“Every object in our collection tells a unique story,” Matar says, adding that as the museum’s vast collection spans a time frame of thousands of years, it is perhaps difficult to pinpoint highlights.
Yet, the Magan Boat, she says, is “a special example.” The 18-metre reproduction of the ancient vessel will be displayed in the museum’s atrium. It was created as part of a collaborative initiative between Zayed National Museum, Zayed University and New York University Abu Dhabi.
Magan boat during the sea trials off the coast of Abu Dhabi. Photo: Zayed National Museum
“The vessel was built with raw materials described on an ancient clay tablet and using techniques dating back to 2100 BCE,” Matar says.
The boat recently sailed 50 nautical miles (92.6km) in the Arabian Gulf as part of tests that shed light on the UAE’s maritime heritage and Bronze Age trade.
“The Magan boat is an excellent example of Abu Dhabi’s educational institutions coming together to deepen our knowledge of the past and bring history to life for everyone to learn from and enjoy,” Matar says. “It will be a very exciting moment when our visitors to the museum get to see the vessel in real life within the galleries of Zayed National Museum.”
The Magan boat on its maiden voyage in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Zayed National Museum
Of the many artefacts that will be exhibited at Zayed National Museum, one particularly important collection of works will be presented in the Through Our Connections gallery.
Five folios from the famous Blue Quran will be displayed as an important example of Islamic calligraphy. Dating to between the 9th and 10th centuries, the manuscript is renowned for its indigo pages and gold Kufic calligraphy. The copy of the Quran originally comprised some 600 pages, of which 100 exist today.
In November, researchers at the Zayed National Museum revealed that they had discovered text concealed underneath a decorative layer of gold leaf on one of the five pages in the museum’s collection. The text, verses from Surah al Nisa’, was discovered using multispectral imaging techniques.
Another highlight of the museum’s collection is one of the world’s oldest natural pearls, called the Abu Dhabi Pearl. “This pearl was discovered through archaeological excavations on Marawah Island,” Matar says, adding that the discovery has significant implications to our understanding of the region’s history.
“We know that pearling has been a major driver of the economy for the last 500 years, but this discovery demonstrates that the history of this land expands far deeper than previously thought, with people successfully locating, diving for, collecting and trading pearls in the Gulf as far back as 8,000 years ago.”
Investors can tap into the gold price by purchasing physical jewellery, coins and even gold bars, but these need to be stored safely and possibly insured.
A cheaper and more straightforward way to benefit from gold price growth is to buy an exchange-traded fund (ETF).
Most advisers suggest sticking to “physical” ETFs. These hold actual gold bullion, bars and coins in a vault on investors’ behalf. Others do not hold gold but use derivatives to track the price instead, adding an extra layer of risk. The two biggest physical gold ETFs are SPDR Gold Trust and iShares Gold Trust.
Another way to invest in gold’s success is to buy gold mining stocks, but Mr Gravier says this brings added risks and can be more volatile. “They have a serious downside potential should the price consolidate.”
Mr Kyprianou says gold and gold miners are two different asset classes. “One is a commodity and the other is a company stock, which means they behave differently.”
Mining companies are a business, susceptible to other market forces, such as worker availability, health and safety, strikes, debt levels, and so on. “These have nothing to do with gold at all. It means that some companies will survive, others won’t.”
By contrast, when gold is mined, it just sits in a vault. “It doesn’t even rust, which means it retains its value,” Mr Kyprianou says.
You may already have exposure to gold miners in your portfolio, say, through an international ETF or actively managed mutual fund.
You could spread this risk with an actively managed fund that invests in a spread of gold miners, with the best known being BlackRock Gold & General. It is up an incredible 55 per cent over the past year, and 240 per cent over five years. As always, past performance is no guide to the future.
Red flags
Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
UAE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani
Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Salem Rashid, Mohammed Al Attas, Alhassan Saleh
Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Yahya Nader, Ahmed Barman, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah, Yahya Al Ghassani
Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
Manifest cargo
Excess luggage in the hold
Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm
Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm
Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened. He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia. Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”. Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
Benjamin Macann, 32: involvement in cocaine smuggling gang.
Jack Mayle, 30: sold drugs from a phone line called the Flavour Quest.
Callum Halpin, 27: over the 2018 murder of a rival drug dealer.
Asim Naveed, 29: accused of being the leader of a gang that imported cocaine.
Calvin Parris, 32: accused of buying cocaine from Naveed and selling it on.
John James Jones, 31: allegedly stabbed two people causing serious injuries.
Callum Michael Allan, 23: alleged drug dealing and assaulting an emergency worker.
Dean Garforth, 29: part of a crime gang that sold drugs and guns.
Joshua Dillon Hendry, 30: accused of trafficking heroin and crack cocain.
Mark Francis Roberts, 28: grievous bodily harm after a bungled attempt to steal a £60,000 watch.
James ‘Jamie’ Stevenson, 56: for arson and over the seizure of a tonne of cocaine.
Nana Oppong, 41: shot a man eight times in a suspected gangland reprisal attack.
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes. The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
