Show caption: President Sheikh Mohamed announced Zayed the Founder Day wou…
UAE leader said annual occasion would celebrate Sheikh Zayed's vision, generosity and service to humanity
The National
October 28, 2026
President Sheikh Mohamed on Wednesday unveiled a new national day to celebrate the "life and legacy" of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The UAE leader said Zayed the Founder Day - which will be marked on January 7 - would pay homage to Sheikh Zayed's "vision, generosity and service to humanity".
Sheikh Mohamed said the annual occasion would serve as an opportunity to ensure Sheikh Zayed's values continue to play a crucial role in guiding the country's progress.
"The UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, forever remains in the hearts of the people of the UAE," Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X.
"As he led efforts to establish the Union, laid its foundations, and nurtured its development, his life and legacy were defined by his vision, generosity, and service to humanity.
"Today, we declare 7 January as Zayed the Founder Day, a new annual national occasion dedicated to celebrating his enduring legacy, transforming wisdom into action, and ensuring these values continue to inspire our nation on its steadfast path of progress towards the future."
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, hailed the UAE's latest step to champion Sheikh Zayed's critical role in the birth of a nation.
"The announcement by His Highness the President establishing Zayed the Founder Day renews the legacy of the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, and the values upon which our nation was built," Sheikh Mansour wrote on X.
"The greatest tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed is that his vision lives within us, and his values remain firmly rooted in generations to come."
Updated:
October 28, 2026, 6:40 AM
Source: The National
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