Dubai: Etihad Museum is the place to be this weekend for the 46th National Day celebrations with a new temporary exhibit to showcase the critical protective role of the UAE Armed Forces since the country’s founding on December 2, 1971.
Dubai Culture officials gathered on Monday at the museum to announce that “Protectors of the Nation; Sacrifice and Giving” exhibit will be unveiled this weekend to educate the generations of today about the importance of country and unification.
Etihad Museum opened in December 2016 and is dedicated to telling the story of the birth of the nation with the 1971 Union Agreement through the eyes of the founding fathers who created the country in a signing ceremony at Union House where the museum now stands.
Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, lauded the Armed Forces noting it “plays an essential role in our nation, bravely watching over our upbringing, safeguarding our achievements, and protecting our borders. We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Ministry of Defence, the General Command of the Armed Forces, the Military History Museum and the National Archives for their valuable contributions to the exhibition.”
Mohammad Bin Ahmad Al Bawardi Al Falasi, Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, said he was glad to see “the Etihad Museum, highlighting the efficiency and development of the armed forces of the UAE as well as the sacrificing and giving of the members of the armed forces since its establishment up until this moment.”
Saeed Al Naboudah, Acting Director of Dubai Culture, told Gulf News that the museum is proud to host the new exhibit to help give visitors a better understanding of their country and culture.
He invited the public to visit Etihad Museum during National Day celebrations and said all generations can find new meaning thanks to a variety of interactive exhibits and displays inside the facility.
Colonel Dr Saeed H. Al Kabani of the Armed Forces Military History Museum in Abu Dhabi said the new “exhibit will reflect the progress the UAE Armed Forces have made since 1971 unification. It’s not limited to being about safeguarding borders but also extends to humanitarians efforts by the Armed Forces in the UAE.”
Al Kabani said the key message of the exhibit is one that “translates the message that we are a nation of tolerance and national peace. It’s important for the current generation to know of the sacrifices the military has made.”
As part of the exhibit, military vehicles of yesteryear are also on display on the grounds of the museum, he said.
