President Sheikh Mohamed officially opened Zayed National Museum in Saadiyat Cultural District on Tuesday, with Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, making a rare public appearance.
Her presence, alongside leading women from the ruling families, brought a personal and cultural significance to a ceremony that also marked the UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations.
Sheikha Fatima was joined by Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan, wife of Sheikh Mohamed, and Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum, wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Several other sheikhas and female leaders from across the Emirates were also in attendance, turning the opening into a gathering of the country’s most influential women.
The inauguration was led by Sheikh Mohamed, with the rulers of the other six emirates also present.
Those attending included Sheikh Mohammed; Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah; and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
After the ceremony, Sheikh Mohamed shared a message on X reflecting on the “UAE’s journey and what it means to be united”.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid also took to the platform and thanked the team behind the event and praised Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed for leading the ceremony.
Also present were Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence; Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah; Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
They were joined by Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser to the UAE President; and several other senior officials.
The museum is now open. Among the key objects on display are the Abu Dhabi Pearl, folios from the Blue Quran and an 18-metre reconstruction of a Bronze Age Magan boat placed in the central atrium.
