UAE President declares 7 January as Zayed the Founder Day

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has announced that 7 January will be observed each year as Zayed the Founder Day, a new annual national occasion in the UAE.

The President made the announcement on his official X account on 28 October 2026.

A new national occasion

In his post, Sheikh Mohamed said: “The UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, forever remains in the hearts of the people of the UAE. 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.”

He added: “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.”

Life of the Founding Father

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was born in 1918 to the Bani Yas tribe in Abu Dhabi. He became President of the UAE in 1971 and held the position until his death in 2004. He is known as the Father of the Nation.

He was central to the unification of the emirates that led to the founding of the UAE on 2 December 1971. Under his leadership, the nation was transformed through investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic development, and he championed the values of unity, generosity and tolerance.

Enduring legacy

The foundations of today’s UAE were laid by his vision, and his legacy remains a force shaping the nation’s identity and future.

Images: Zayed National Museum