The Union House is among 19 sites to be inscribed on the register. Photo: Wam
The Union House is among 19 sites to be inscribed on the register. Photo: Wam
The Union House is among 19 sites to be inscribed on the register. Photo: Wam
The Union House is among 19 sites to be inscribed on the register. Photo: Wam

Union House inscribed on Alecso registry of Arab architectural heritage sites


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

The Union House has been inscribed on the registry of Arab architectural heritage sites, an initiative by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (Alecso).

Built in 1965 and located on Jumeirah Street in Dubai, the structure is a landmark of UAE history. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed, former Ruler of Dubai, would conduct important meetings at the house. Most notably, it was where the Declaration of the Union was signed in July 1971, marking the foundation of the country.

The historic site has since been restored, remaining faithful to its original design, and is now part of Etihad Museum. It houses artefacts, photographs and documents related to the formation of the UAE.

The Union House has been among several sites inscribed on the register since Alecso launched the initiative this month.

The list also includes the Zitouna Mosque in Tunisia, the old city of Miliana in Algeria, the Medina of Fez in Morocco, Tounen village in Libya’s Ghadames, Mauritania’s Azougui Archaeological Site, Al Khabra Town and Qishla Fortress in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Towers, Oman’s Al Hamouda Mosque, the Barzan Tower and Murwab Archaeological Site in Qatar, the Umayyad Mosque in Syria and Egypt’s Al Jazira Arts Centre. The list also includes sites in Yemen’s Aden, on the Tigris River in Iraq and in Palestine, including Old City of Jerusalem, Old City of Hebron and the Great Omari Mosque in Gaza.

The register comes as part of Observatory of Architectural and Urban Heritage in Arab Countries, a larger initiative by Alecso that aims to support the documenting, monitoring of reconstruction of heritage sites.

Several cultural figures in the UAE have commented on the significance of the The Union House’s inscription. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and member of Dubai Council and the Executive Council of Dubai, said on X that it “constitutes a new chapter in Dubai’s legacy as a city that transcends time and generations, a city of the past, present and future".

“The building, which witnessed the announcement of the union of the UAE in 1971, now stands among 19 Arab heritage sites as a living testament to the nation’s birth and a cornerstone of our identity, history and belonging," Sheikha Latifa said.

“Our gratitude goes to the team at the Ministry of Culture and the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, for their dedicated efforts in safeguarding and preserving the UAE's heritage.”

Ahmed Al Marzooqi, a writer and lecturer at Sorbonne University in Paris, replied to the post, saying: “The Union House is not merely a building, but a living memory of a nation’s birth and a beacon of unity and pride. Its inscription in the Alecso registry elevates it as a bridge connecting past, present and future reminding us that strong identity is the foundation upon which nations endure and thrive.”

COMPANY PROFILE

Company: Bidzi

● Started: 2024

● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid

● Based: Dubai, UAE

● Industry: M&A

● Funding size: Bootstrapped

● No of employees: Nine

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EGlobal%20Islamic%20economy%20to%20grow%203.1%25%20to%20touch%20%242.4%20trillion%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fuk-economy-plunges-into-worst-ever-recession-after-record-20-4-contraction-1.1062560%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EUK%20economy%20plunges%20into%20worst-ever%20recession%20after%20record%2020.4%25%20contraction%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EIslamic%20economy%20consumer%20spending%20to%20increase%2045%25%20to%20%243.2tn%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands

The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands

50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias

Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura

Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal

SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos

Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho

Singles match John Cena v Triple H

Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba

Try out the test yourself

Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Credits

Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana
Star rating: 2.5/5

The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

Profile

Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari

Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.

Number of employees: Over 50

Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised

Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital 

Sector of operation: Transport

The Baghdad Clock

Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

Updated: August 20, 2025, 10:11 AM