The Central Bank has issued commemorative gold and silver coins to honour UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed.
The two men were key figures in the formation of the UAE. Sheikh Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi at the time, held a meeting in March 1971 with Sheikh Rashid, Ruler of Dubai at the time, among the key figures who attended.
It was on a farm in Al Khawaneej area of Dubai where the fabric of the new nation was put together. The UAE was formed in December of the same year, with Sheikh Zayed as the country’s first president and Sheikh Rashid the first vice president.
Their roles in the founding of the union have now been honoured with a gold coin, weighing 40g with a 40mm diameter, featuring the two men while the reverse includes the national emblem surrounded by the words “Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates” in both Arabic and English.
A second, silver, coin weighs 50g with a diameter of 50mm. It shows the two leaders while its reverse also includes the national emblem surrounded by the words “Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates” in Arabic and English as well as “Commemorative Coin” in Arabic.
The gold coin will only be available for purchase via the Central Bank’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, while the silver coin can be bought on the bank’s website.

Proud history
“We proudly announce the issuance of these commemorative coins, which embody the meanings of loyalty and belonging to the national legacy left by the founding leaders, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, may their souls rest in peace,” said Khaled Balama, the bank’s governor.
“This issuance marks the Zayed and Rashid campaign, aiming to solidify the values of unity and development upon which our nation was founded, and to highlight inspiring milestones in their journeys. We reaffirm our commitment to immortalising our national history and fostering it in the hearts of future generations.”
In March, the bank launched a new Dh100 banknote featuring the Umm Al Quwain National Fort on the front, with a design depicting Etihad Rail alongside the Port of Fujairah on the back.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
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The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
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Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
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The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
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FIXTURES
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
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