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UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has established Zayed the Founder Day as a new annual national occasion to be observed on January 7 each year, the Emirates News Agency reported on October 28, 2026. The inaugural celebration is scheduled for January 7, 2027. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed described the day as dedicated to celebrating the enduring legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, transforming his wisdom into action and ensuring his values continue to guide the nation. The President made the announcement in a post on the social media platform X.
The date holds symbolic importance as the Emirates News Agency explained that 7/1 represents the seven emirates uniting to form one nation in 1971, the year the UAE was established. Placing the occasion at the beginning of the year provides an opportunity for schools, institutions and communities to reconnect with Sheikh Zayed’s principles at the start of each calendar. This timing allows initiatives and programmes inspired by the day to extend their impact across the full year ahead.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan served as Ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1966 and became the first President of the UAE upon its formation in 1971, according to official UAE historical accounts. His leadership focused on unifying the emirates, developing infrastructure and placing people at the center of national progress. The late leader’s vision emphasized unity, generosity and service to humanity, principles that shaped the country’s early development.
From 1971 to 2004, the UAE provided about AED90.5 billion in humanitarian and development aid to countries around the world, a WAM assessment found. Sheikh Zayed established the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development in 1971 and launched the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation in 1992, now known as the Zayed for Good Foundation. These institutions reflect his commitment to global humanitarian efforts that continue to define UAE foreign policy.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, welcomed the announcement, according to posts on X. He stated that the new day renews the legacy of the Founding Father and the values upon which the nation was built. The occasion aims to deepen understanding of Sheikh Zayed’s life and leadership among citizens, residents and international audiences.
The day will serve as a platform for institutions, schools and families to engage with the founder’s legacy through targeted initiatives, the presidential announcement indicated. Programmes will focus on embedding his values of unity, giving and foresight into daily practice and long-term national strategies. Zayed the Founder Day complements existing commemorations such as Zayed Humanitarian Day observed annually during Ramadan.
