Abu Dhabi's Al Manhal Palace, where the UAE flag was raised after the country joined the UN in 1971, and Zayed Sports City are among 64 buildings and sites in the capital that have been identified as requiring "immediate and unconditional protection".
The list of buildings and heritage sites was compiled by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi to be added to its Modern Heritage Conservation Initiative. No demolition applications will be allowed for these buildings, the authority said. Instead, priority will be given for them to be maintained and rehabilitated in accordance with their designated grade.
"Part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s mission includes preserving Abu Dhabi’s culture and identity," said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. "Our architectural and urban heritage is an extremely important element of our recent history, which deserves to be recognised and protected.
“It is our civic responsibility to guard this modern heritage, not only because of the value it holds in our collective memory as residents of this emirate, but because of the historical testimony it has in telling Abu Dhabi’s story through architectural and urban identity between the traditional past and our aspirations for the future.”
The full list is below.
- Cultural Foundation
- Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal and Taxi Stand
- Al Manhal Palace
- Zayed bin Sultan The Second Mosque
- The National Theatre
- Former Al Jazeera Hospital
- Zayed Sports City
- Islamic Institute Complex (formerly UAEU)
- Niqa Bin Ateej Water Tank and Park
- Radisson Blu Al Ain (Hilton Al Ain)
- Al Jahili Eid Prayer Grounds
- Al Khalidiyah Park
- Al Ain Old Central Market
- Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tower
- Al Bateen Mall
- InterContinental Abu Dhabi
- Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche (Hilton Abu Dhabi)
- Hili Old Market (Shaabi Market)
- Zayed Al Awwal Secondary School – Oud Al Hassa
- Former Adnoc Headquarters
- Al Maqta Conservation Area
- Former Vehicles & Drivers Licensing Directorate
- Bida’ Zayed Central Souq
- Arab Monetary Fund Building
- Etisalat Headquarters – Abu Dhabi
- Federal National Council
- Saeed Al Kalili (Al Ibrahimi Building)
- Heirs of Salem Khadem Al Qubaisi Building
- HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Tower (Blue Tower – Union National Bank)
- Hamed Centre
- Hamdan Centre
- Obaid Al Mazrouai
- Butti Al Otaiba Building
- Harib Tower
- Sheraton Hotel
- Le Meridien Hotel
- Al Ghaf Tree Park
- Airport Road Park
- Armed Forces Officers Club & Conference Centre
- Al Omeirah Building (Adidas)
- Al Hobbara Water Tank (SBY Island)
- Bida’ Zayed Pool
- Liwa Rest House
- Remah Rest House complex
- Salman Khalifa Al Mazroei
- Otaiba Building
- Mesaied Khalid Al Mansoori
- The Central Bank of the UAE
- Al Ain Vegetable & Fish Market (Shibrat Al Ain)
- City Terminal (Abu Dhabi International Airport)
- Abu Dhabi City Municipality Building
- Department of Economic Development
- Department of Finance
- Abu Dhabi Media Company
- Abu Dhabi Oil Co. – Japan (ADOC)
- Al Manhal Family Medicine Clinic
- Al Zaab Old Fire Station
- Khalifa Al Suweidi Building
- Elenco Building
- Former Al Dhafra Region Municipality Building
- Madinat Zayed Vegetable, Meat & Fish Market – Abu Dhabi
- Abu Yalee Mosque
- Al Ain Old Gold Souk
- Al Nyadat Eid Musalla
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The five pillars of Islam
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Ashraf Ghani: 923,592 votes
Abdullah Abdullah: 720,841 votes
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The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
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The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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