UAE National Day: Honouring Heritage While Building the Future

The UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations blended heritage, faith, and future mobility in a ceremony that brought leaders, artists, and citizens together. The official event at the newly opened Zayed National Museum highlighted the country’s cultural narrative and ambitions. 

The construction of such an architectural marvel was made possible by the precision of the heavy machinery used on-site, where the reliable excavator carved the foundation, and the articulated dump truck moved tons of material across the island’s challenging terrain. Even during the final stages of preparation for the dignitaries' arrival, the boom lift was essential for high-access installations and finishing touches.

A cultural milestone: Zayed National Museum

The centrepiece of the National Day events was the inauguration and official celebrations held at the Zayed National Museum on Saadiyat Island. The museum’s galleries and immersive presentations narrate the UAE’s story — from early settlements to modern nation-building — and hosted dignitaries and performances during the Eid Al Etihad ceremony.
You can read more about the inauguration in the article 

President H.H Sheikh Mohamed inaugurated the museum on Tuesday evening. At this year’s Eid Al Etihad ceremony, select artifacts from the museum’s collection were unveiled. The ceremony began with archival scenes from the 1968 film Farewell Arabia, showing UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in his well-known black Chrysler Newport—a striking symbol of the country’s early days and enduring heritage.

Faith & unity: seven mosques named after the Emirates

In a symbolic act underscoring national unity, the President directed the construction of seven mosques, each named after one of the UAE’s emirates, in Mohammad Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. The project aims to provide community worship spaces that blend traditional Islamic architecture with contemporary design.

The cluster of mosques will serve thousands of worshippers and act as local community hubs — reflecting both the UAE’s spiritual commitments and efforts to strengthen social cohesion across the federation.

Heritage, art and storytelling at the ceremony

The National Day programme presented a curated narrative of the UAE using history, art and multimedia to join the past and future in the public imagination. The approach positioned the museum not only as a repository of artifacts but as an active stage for national storytelling.

Short film clips and performances shown to the rulers and guests highlighted formative moments in the UAE’s evolution — from early Bedouin life to the modern state — creating a theme of continuity and progress.

The future of mobility: air-taxis and vertiports

Alongside cultural announcements, the UAE’s push for futuristic transport was in focus. The country is moving ahead with eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) air-taxi plans and vertiport development to integrate short-hop aerial mobility into urban transport networks.

What this means for infrastructure and industry

Projects of this scale call for an impressive fleet of heavy machinery, with a remarkable engineering effort, built on the power of the UAE’s heavy machinery — the cranes, excavators, piling rigs, and transport trucks that shape landscapes and massive projects. 
That’s where choosing the right partner matters.

Choose Al Marwan Machinery — one of the GCC’s leading heavy machinery dealers, offering a comprehensive fleet of powerful, reliable machines ready to support your next landmark project.

About Al Marwan Machinery

Leading heavy machinery provider in the GCC since 1978. Your one-stop shop for sales, rentals (3000+ machines), and pre-owned equipment from top brands (Kobelco, Caterpillar, Volvo, Komatsu & more). We are the GCC Rental Company of the Year (2023, 2024, and 2025), empowering projects across the UAE, KSA, and Oman.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where was the 54th Eid Al Etihad ceremony held?
 The official celebrations took place at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, with leaders and guests attending the programme and exhibits.
What is special about the Zayed National Museum?
 A: The museum uses immersive galleries, multimedia storytelling and artifacts to present the UAE’s cultural and natural history. It also functions as a living cultural hub for national events.
Why seven mosques, and where will they be?
The President announced the construction of seven mosques, each named after an emirate, located in Mohammad Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi — a symbolic move for unity and community services. 
Are air-taxis already operating in the UAE?
The UAE is piloting and preparing eVTOL/air-taxi operations, with plans for vertiports and partnerships in place, but broad commercial rollout depends on regulatory approvals and infrastructure completion.

What role did heavy machinery play in the construction of the Zayed National Museum? 

To bring the complex architecture of the Zayed National Museum to life, contractors utilized a specialized fleet. A high-performance excavator was used for deep foundation works, while the articulated dump truck ensured efficient material transport across Saadiyat Island. For the intricate facade and lighting installations, the boom lift provided the necessary reach and safety for technicians at great heights.