The voice of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, greeted families as they entered the new national museum on Wednesday, a day after the landmark was unveiled in a spectacular light show.
A public holiday may have ended on Tuesday, but crowds still flocked to Zayed National Museum on Saadiyat Island to be among the first to glimpse the story of their nation.
"It's very beautiful, you really feel him close as if he's present here with you," said Emirati Sharifa Al Hashmi.
"When you first walk in at the 'Our Beginning' gallery entrance, you'll read words written on the wall – but at the same time, you hear the voice of Baba Zayed ... when I heard it, I couldn't handle it and immediately cried."
Stepping back in time
At the centrepiece is an 18-metre reconstruction of a Bronze Age Magan boat.
There, performers dressed as fishermen sing folk songs and play traditional drums, as their ancestors would have done centuries ago, when ordinary Emiratis eked out a modest existence.
UAE Rulers Tour Zayed Museum - in pictures
Visitors from across the country flooded in from 10am onwards to see the diverse collection of galleries. The landmark is expected to be a major draw during the month-long winter school break and beyond.
There are six galleries – one of two on the ground floor features key pieces from the early days under the rule of Sheikh Zayed, and the other offers a panoramic view of the country's natural elements.
On the top floor, visitors are guided on a narrative journey through four thematic, intertwined galleries spanning from the UAE's ancestors to its connections, coasts and roots.
Delving into the past
"As someone who's recently moved to the UAE, it's great to be here today to understand more about the local culture, especially on the first day of its opening," says new resident of the Emirates, Alice Morrison.
The museum in Saadiyat Cultural District sits across from the Abrahamic Family House and close to Louvre Abu Dhabi. It joins a wider cluster of cultural institutions being built in the area, including the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, as well as teamLab Phenomena and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
More than 1,500 objects are on display at the opening, part of a larger permanent collection of 3,000 items.
Some of the special key items featured are the Abu Dhabi Pearl, a personal Quran used by the Founding Father, folios from the Blue Quran, a necklace dating back to the 1880s that belonged to Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum and a black Chrysler Newport used by Sheikh Zayed in 1966.
Grand attraction
"I love being here in this museum because it is really big," says Mansour Al Taheri, nine, an Emirati who attended with his mother and cousin.
All public spaces are accessible, with the museum designed to be fully navigable by wheelchair users. Staff also offer tours in Emirati sign language, led by hearing-impaired specialists.
Opening hours are 10am to 6pm, with time-slots available for selection.
Tickets can be bought on the website, at various prices. Adult entry is at Dh70 ($19), while students and teachers pay Dh35 and admission is free for children under 18, people of determination and anyone in the UAE aged 60 or older.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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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.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
