Hello and welcome to Emirati, a monthly newsletter from The National.
The remarkable legacy of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, remains keenly felt throughout the forward-thinking nation he put on the map.
His profound impact is represented not only by the cosmopolitan cities he helped to build, the thriving economy he put in motion and the country's growing standing on the global stage, but by a somewhat unassuming farm in Dubai.
It was at this family-run farm in Al Khawaneej more than 50 years ago that Sheikh Zayed laid down the crucial groundwork in his bold mission to bring together seven emirates to create a unified country
He held 16 days of key meetings there in March 1971 that were pivotal to the formation of the country before the end of that year.
Sheikh Zayed entrusted the farm to a family of Emiratis who are proud to look after a site at which history was made.
I spoke to the family to reflect on their warm memories of Sheikh Zayed as plans take shape to open it up to the public, to allow further generations to be part of the story of the UAE.
Thank you for reading,
Shireena Al Nowais
Stepping into history at Dubai farm where Sheikh Zayed planted seeds of a nation
At an Al Khawaneej farm in March 1971, key figures in the formation of the UAE, guided by UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, gathered for 16 days of thoughtful conversation that helped to sow the seeds of the nation.
They sat together in the shade of palm trees and in courtyards, sharing coffee and dates to build trust and kinship, as they developed a blueprint for a momentous union that would create a country in December that year.
Now, 54 years on, President Sheikh Mohamed and the rulers of the emirates have returned to the farm to enjoy iftar and celebrate significant moments in the country's success story.
Sheikh Mohamed announced after the meeting that the farm would be named as a union site, joining Union House and Arqoob Al Sedira. The designation is bestowed on places “pivotal to the establishment of the Union”.
Recognition of the farm's place in history is a reminder that the roots of unity do not always begin in palaces or grand halls. The farm is currently closed to the public, but officials say it is being renovated and will soon open its doors again. This will allow new generations of UAE citizens and residents to step back in time and embrace the county's rich history.
The farm was owned by Sheikh Zayed, who soon after the UAE was founded took steps to ensure its legacy was in the hands of its citizens. He signed a document on July 7, 1972, ordering that the presidential farm be entrusted to Saif Al Siri, the oldest of three brothers who cherished the opportunity to conserve its land.
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Did you know?
The UAE Central Bank this month issued commemorative coins to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Emirati poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais.
How the UAE was formed: Meetings in the desert led to new union
They met like tribal chieftains, Bedu-style, in a simple tent in the desert at a place that marked the border of their two domains.
When it was over, a momentous decision had been made on the strength of a simple handshake: the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai would come together as one people and one country.
It was February 18, 1968, when Sheikh Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed, Ruler of Dubai, reached a formal agreement that would bind them together and lead to the formation, three years later, of the United Arab Emirates.
The moment of their decision, though, was anything but formal, marked by the growing friendship of the two men and their respect for each other.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, recalled the meeting in a series of tweets in 2018.
“From that day we started, from that day we agreed and from that day we began our march together,” he said.
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A timeline of UAE history since its founding in 1971
The UAE has gone through enormous change in all aspects of development since it was formed in 1971, from its burgeoning economic sector to its increasingly diverse and growing society.
Along the way, it has transformed from a collection of Trucial States to the Gulf powerhouse known throughout the world today.
Here, The National looks back at some of the landmark moments that have helped to shape the country's history.
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