Zayed Museum to become an inspiring permanent reminder of his vision: Khalifa

posted on 26/11/2010: 48 views

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, said yesterday: "The Zayed National Museum is destined to become an inspiring permanent reminder of the vision handed down to us from the father of our nation, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to unite all Emiratis and build a strong and prosperous nation.

'As a fitting memorial and a national institution, the museum will serve as a symbol of our historic cultural roots and of the many achievements of our country, providing us with an incentive to continue building our country with the same will and determination," the President said in a comment on the launch of the design of the Zayed National Museum.

The design and program of the Zayed National Museum was presented in Abu Dhabi. This is the UAE's first national museum that will feature the life and achievements of the founding President of the United Arab Emirates, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The museum, which will bring to life the UAE's rich history, will also serve as a memorial to Sheikh Zayed and is set to stand alongside the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Louvre Abu Dhabi amongst the iconic Saadiyat Island Cultural District's institutions.

The design for the Zayed National Museum was officially unveiled yesterday by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Set amongst lush gardens, the design features five soaring pavilions, representing the feathers of a falcon's wing, reaching a height of 124 metres, towering over the glittering waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Scheduled for completion in 2014, the Zayed National Museum also stands as a symbol of the modernity of the UAE, and its rapid progression over the past forty years. The spirit of excellence and endeavour and great faith in the future of the Emirati people has been behind the fundamental growth in economic, social, education and health sectors, and the museum will help ensure that future generations can appreciate the enormity of these changes.

At the unveiling yesterday, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, stated: "The Zayed National Museum, named after our beloved leader, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, will be a template of the UAE's cultural traditions, set in the midst of our nation's glorious heritage. It is with great pride that we keep his memory alive and close to our hearts." 'We would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Zayed National Museum Foundation, named after our beloved leader, the late Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him. Our dear leader was a humanitarian of note, steeped in history and defined by his generosity. We feel confident in our hope that this leading museum will reflect the great strides taken by the UAE over three decades, under the loyal and wise leadership of Sheikh Zayed.

'Thanks to our founding father's love for the country and passion for charitable causes, the UAE has achieved outstanding successes in the fields of education, health, economy, culture and the environment. With this in mind, we are certain that visitors and guests in the country will view this museum as a template of the UAE's cultural traditions, set in the midst of our nation's glorious heritage.

The museum will showcase Sheikh Zayed's story and the lasting influence of his reforms. Sheikh Zayed's concept of a modernised nation determined by strong guiding principles of education, culture, faith and the protection of the environment made him one of the world's most respected leaders.

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, said on the occasion of launching Zayed National Museum that:'The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan is one of those figures that truly deserve to be remembered over the years and honoured by generations for their role as inspiring leaders who have managed to overcome life's challenges and lay the foundations for a bright and prosperous future.

'Under his care, and guided by his wisdom and sheer patriotism, the seven Emirates realised their unification and became the United Arab Emirates; a milestone that wouldn't have been possible without the faithful direction of Sheikh Zayed, who believed that his country and people are above all interests, and that the best investment is that which helps raise a sophisticated generation of educated people who are able to thrive with the brightness of their minds.

'We hope that the "Zayed National Museum" will be a fitting memorial to Sheikh Zayed and an everlasting reflection of his outstanding national achievements and the rich history of the UAE,' Sheikh Sultan added..

His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, said:'Tradition, originality, history and achievements are the results of astute thinking, tireless effort, and constant work of statesmen who have devoted their energies, contributions and time to make a statement to history: that on this day, a glorious monument was born that will endure for years to come as part of a heritage that future generations will take pride in. It is a heritage that we have built with our words, our deeds and our determination so that our lineage may witness it and follow its lead.

Because we are the sons and daughters of this glorious history and sons of the emirates, we find joy and pride in the heritage we have come into from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah have mercy on his soul, founder of the United Arab Emirates and the man behind the great legend of Emirati glory.

'Given the importance of Zayed's heritage and its benefit for future generations, it is only fitting to recognize and praise the initiative to preserve this valuable treasure through the establishment of the Zayed National Museum. It is through such an endeavour that his annals may remain as an example and a guiding beacon from which valuable lessons and morals may be drawn.

'Today, we translate the idea into a reality, so that the world may record in its memory that our heritage is alive and present, and that it will be perpetuated for all to enjoy its beautiful aroma, with Zayed's glory standing the test of time, generation after generation.

The initiative to develop the Zayed National Museum, Sheikh Saud said is a unique and unprecedented step that aims to illuminate the various aspects of the life, thought and works of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may he rest in peace, and to elucidate the meanings and values underlying them.

'It is our duty, in turn, to retain these in the history of the people of the United Arab Emirates, so that we may celebrate the march of our first leader, Sheikh Zayed, the towering symbol whose procession was marked by numerous accomplishments and events which helped build and elevate the UAE on its path of glorious ascension.

'Furthermore, the presence of such a museum contributes to evoking the personage of Sheikh Zayed in the memories of the nation's sons and daughters, retaining pride in his achievements, emulating his approach, and implanting the spirit of belonging and loyalty in the lives of generations to come,' he concluded.

In his statement on the event, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council Museum, Ruler of Fujairah, said:'It is without a doubt that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - may Allah have mercy on his soul - was a unique figure that will remain unrivalled for all time.

'His compassionate face would embrace those who sat with him even before he extended his right hand in greeting. He could sense the needs of others before they spoke them out loud, for he was a father before being a ruler. He was - may Allah rest his soul - my father and my teacher, and we learned a great deal from him. In his many majlis which were filled with lessons in values and tradition, we observed his wisdom and far-reaching vision in his speech.

'And now, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, is walking in his late father's footsteps to continue the journey of bounty and achievement, emanating from the spring of goodness, wisdom and generosity,' the Ruler added.

'The accolades of our father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - may Allah rest his soul - are recalled by those near and far, for he remains in our hearts and minds with his kindness and his diligence in serving the nation and its citizens, as well as the world at large.

'The launch of the Zayed National Museum is a testament to history and humanity of the great heritage which Sheikh Zayed, may he rest in peace, left for us. It is also a source of pride and honour for the sons of the emirates, and a distinctive cultural beacon that demonstrates Sheikh Zayed's life and accomplishments, through which visitors to the region and citizens of the world will be introduced to the history and culture of the United Arab Emirates.

'It is, therefore, without a doubt that the Zayed National Museum will play an important role in showing the world some of the milestones in Sheikh Zayed's life and the formation of the Union, starting with his accession to ruling the emirate of Abu Dhabi, covering the foundation of the Union and placing the first building blocks for an exceptional experiment in unification, as well as his diligent efforts towards unifying the Arabian Gulf and the Arab World as a whole.

May Allah have mercy on Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and may He grant him an abode in Paradise.

His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, said :'I am delighted to witness the launch of a museum bearing the name of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah rest his soul, to be a distinctive addition to the cultural institutions in the country.

'This event is of particular importance in its reflection of the life of Sheikh Zayed, a name and symbol holding a great deal of importance in our lives. His legacy has left an indelible mark on the history of the UAE, ever since it was a mere dream for generations past. Through his achievements, our country became a proverbial example in development, progress, prosperity, security and political stability.

'The life of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, May Allah bless his soul, is worth commemorating and conveying, not only to his own people but to the whole world. His life was the life of a nation and a homeland embodying his consummately wise vision, and his notable legacy reflects the progress in our beloved homeland between the past and the present.

Through this museum, Sheikh Humaid added, the coming generations will find images of the life and times during which the late leader lived. It is a life worthy of being observed and appreciated by those who have not witnessed it themselves, so that they may become more proud and devoted to Zayed's path and legacy. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

RELATED ARTICLES

22 May 2012	Sharjah museums highlight heritage
19 May 2012	Sharjah Museums Department celebrates International Museums Day
26 April 2012	New courthouse and museum in Fujairah
18 April 2012	Treasures of the World's Cultures Exhibition opens to the public
17 April 2012	Lourve-ly works of art in Abu Dhabi

blog comments powered by Disqus