ABU DHABI // Unlike many people, Nora al Ameri cannot wait for the weekend to be over.
She looks forward to Sunday and spending a full week at work among her Baba Zayed's most cherished items.
The 26-year-old Emirati particularly enjoys sharing the last items Sheikh Zayed, the founder of the UAE, used before he passed away in November 2004.
"Baba Zayed was everyone's father," said Ms al Ameri.
She is the main guide at the Sheikh Zayed Centre in Abu Dhabi, located inside a complex of traditional homes. It can be easily missed since it is tucked away behind tall buildings, just off Baynouna Street in Al Bateen, near the InterContinental Hotel.
"This is where you can come and get a glimpse into the private life of Sheikh Zayed as a man, father and brother," said Ms al Ameri.
Opened in 2009, visitors can come into what is dubbed "Sheikh Zayed's house" and into a hall filled with everything from the late President's last set of creams and perfumes to his old favourite blue Mercedes.
Ms al Ameri likes to start with 200 photos on display, beginning with a series of black and whites from the late 1950s.
"You see here how he is dressed in the traditional bedu attire, but this one tiny detail tells you a lot about his personality," she said, pointing to a pen in his front pocket in one photo, and the chain of a pocket watch in another photo.
"I really like these photos," she says with a smile.
Ms al Ameri moves quickly past photos of Sheikh Zayed's funeral. Such photographs have rarely been seen. They show the leader wrapped in a national flag, then carried by his sons and other male relatives to his final resting place.
Ms al Ameri moves on to photos of Sheikh Zayed with some of his sons, including Sheikh Khalifa, the President of the UAE, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince and Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces. One picture is particularly poignant: taken in 2000, it shows Sheikh Nasser jumping into a pool of spring water to check its depth at his father's request. Only the hand of Sheikh Nasser, who was killed in a helicopter accident in 2008, can be seen answering his father's question.
"There are many moments like this, and some very private ones, captured on photos here," said Ms al Ameri.
Other photos are of Sheikh Zayed performing Haj in Mecca, and posing with heads of states, some of whom have since been ousted as part of the Arab Spring - such as the former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. Others remain in power, including the Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi.
Photos in the hall are changed every three months, when a stock of fresh images are taken from storage and shown to the public.
The display includes an unusual array of personal items, such as a cracked container of used body cream, half-full colognes and aftershaves including Armani and Old Spice, and Arabian incense oils made of the purest oud and musk.
"We all wear this kind of perfume, we like it to be strong and last for a whole day," said Ms al Ameri.
The museum includes some of the many unusual gifts bestowed on Sheikh Zayed by various foreign delegations, including stuffed lions, a leopard and several displayed skins of an anaconda, as well as weapons such as rifles and daggers.
The most photographed items are three of Sheikh Zayed's cars, each one capturing distinct periods of his life.
Looking somewhat beaten up is the late-1970s model blue Mercedes that became synonymous with the beloved leader as he drove it for almost the two decades he built the nation.
"He used to drive it around without a bodyguard," said Ms al Ameri. "People would see it and hope to get a glimpse of Sheikh Zayed as he drove it."
The other two cars on display were used by Sheikh Zayed in more recent decades, the 1990s and 2000s. A white BMW features two handles on its roof, a custom touch so Sheikh Zayed could fulfil his wish of pulling himself in and out of the car. "Everything was left as he left it," she said, pointing to a chair cushion inside the car with faded floral designs on it.
The other, a purple Maybach, was the last car Sheikh Zayed was seen using, as he attended a wedding in 2004 before he died.
Visitors passing through another room can hold one of the founder's rifles and pose for photos with it.
"We added this feature after so many visitors who came here wanted to be able to touch something that once belonged to Baba Zayed," said Ms al Ameri.
One item that triggers many questions is a solid gold and granite mantel clock, topped with a falcon and a child looking up at time.
The clock was kept in the centre of the majilis at Qasr al Bahar, so that visitors would arrive on time and not be tempted to over-extend their visit.
"Punctuality and respect for time were one of his most famous characteristics," said Ms al Ameri.
The guide herself is a stickler for time, explaining that she starts tours at the Sheikh Zayed Museum promptly out of respect for "her father".
"He respected time and so I want to respect it like him," she said.
The centre is open from 8am to 3pm, and closed on weekends, something Ms al Ameri recalls with dread.
"I am away from Sheikh Zayed's house for two days," she said. "I get sad because I miss him so much."
To book a tour or for more information on the Sheikh Zayed Centre, call 02 665 9555.
rghazal@thenational.ae
AL%20BOOM
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
ENGLAND WORLD CUP SQUAD
Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Premier League results
Saturday
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Arsenal 1
Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 1
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Huddersfield Town 0
Burnley 1 Crystal Palace 3
Manchester United 3 Southampton 2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Cardiff City 0
West Ham United 2 Newcastle United 0
Sunday
Watford 2 Leicester City 1
Fulham 1 Chelsea 2
Everton 0 Liverpool 0
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
Final: UAE beat Qatar by nine wickets
Third-place play-off: Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by five runs
Table
1 UAE 5 5 0 10
2 Qatar 5 4 1 8
3 Saudi 5 3 2 6
4 Kuwait 5 2 3 4
5 Bahrain 5 1 4 2
6 Maldives 5 0 5 0
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The%20specs
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
UAE%20ILT20
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
PULITZER PRIZE 2020 WINNERS
JOURNALISM
Public Service
Anchorage Daily News in collaboration with ProPublica
Breaking News Reporting
Staff of The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky.
Investigative Reporting
Brian M. Rosenthal of The New York Times
Explanatory Reporting
Staff of The Washington Post
Local Reporting
Staff of The Baltimore Sun
National Reporting
T. Christian Miller, Megan Rose and Robert Faturechi of ProPublica
and
Dominic Gates, Steve Miletich, Mike Baker and Lewis Kamb of The Seattle Times
International Reporting
Staff of The New York Times
Feature Writing
Ben Taub of The New Yorker
Commentary
Nikole Hannah-Jones of The New York Times
Criticism
Christopher Knight of the Los Angeles Times
Editorial Writing
Jeffery Gerritt of the Palestine (Tx.) Herald-Press
Editorial Cartooning
Barry Blitt, contributor, The New Yorker
Breaking News Photography
Photography Staff of Reuters
Feature Photography
Channi Anand, Mukhtar Khan and Dar Yasin of the Associated Press
Audio Reporting
Staff of This American Life with Molly O’Toole of the Los Angeles Times and Emily Green, freelancer, Vice News for “The Out Crowd”
LETTERS AND DRAMA
Fiction
"The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday)
Drama
"A Strange Loop" by Michael R. Jackson
History
"Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America" by W. Caleb McDaniel (Oxford University Press)
Biography
"Sontag: Her Life and Work" by Benjamin Moser (Ecco/HarperCollins)
Poetry
"The Tradition" by Jericho Brown (Copper Canyon Press)
General Nonfiction
"The Undying: Pain, Vulnerability, Mortality, Medicine, Art, Time, Dreams, Data, Exhaustion, Cancer, and Care" by Anne Boyer (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
and
"The End of the Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America" by Greg Grandin (Metropolitan Books)
Music
"The Central Park Five" by Anthony Davis, premiered by Long Beach Opera on June 15, 2019
Special Citation
Ida B. Wells
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Price: from Dh850,000
On sale: now
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Date of birth: 27 May, 1995
Place of birth: Dubai, UAE
Status: Single
School: Al Ittihad private school in Al Mamzar
University: University of Sharjah
Degree: Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Hobby: I enjoy travelling a lot, not just for fun, but I like to cross things off my bucket list and the map and do something there like a 'green project'.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Squads
India: Kohli (c), Rahul, Shaw, Agarwal, Pujara, Rahane, Vihari, Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Shami, Umesh, Siraj, Thakur
West Indies: Holder (c), Ambris, Bishoo, Brathwaite, Chase, Dowrich (wk), Gabriel, Hamilton, Hetmyer, Hope, Lewis, Paul, Powell, Roach, Warrican, Joseph
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
