Zayed-Gandhi museum now open to public in Abu Dhabi
abu dhabi — Both the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and India’s Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, saw leadership as duty and service. And the parallels between two of the world’s most respected leaders are unmissable when you walk into the newly opened Zayed-Gandhi digital museum at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi.
The museum was opened to the public on Tuesday and visitors are allowed till March 29 from 9am to 8pm. It was officially opened on December 4, 2018, by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Sushma Swaraj, Indian External Affairs Minister.
Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, and Smita Pant, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indian Embassy, attended the public launch on Tuesday.
Al Kaabi said the exhibition tells an important story of the two nations and how the two leaders transformed their countries into great nations. “We look at two important
leaders. These leaders are from two different countries and of two different eras. The beautiful thing is that the similarities in terms of their style of leadership, the values that they instilled in their people . Their focus was the people and the prosperity of the people.”
The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development has launched the unique exhibition as a tribute to the lives and works of the two legendary leaders, Sheikh Zayed and Gandhi. Both are true humanitarians, whose lives are inspired by their indomitable will and selfless dedication for their people. Al Kaabi said the ministry is planning to conduct the exhibition in India, too.
Using innovative multimedia technologies and interactive tools, the digital museum highlights how
they have shaped and influenced the destinies of their people, through their vision for a tolerant and cohesive society and their contributions to humanity, women empowerment, religious harmony and environmental sustainability.
In the Year of Tolerance that also marks 150 years since the birth of
Gandhi, the exhibition aims to connect people and encourage visitors to live by the virtues that defined Sheikh Zayed and Gandhi.
The exhibition is divided into six zones, Resilient Leaders, Passionate Humanitarians, Devoted Peacemakers, Visionary Changemakers, Inspirational Orators and Dedicated Custodians. Each zone brings to light the qualities and achievements of both leaders through a range of photos, videos and other multimedia tools. The dark blue walls of the museum are also adorned by the sayings of the two icons — in Arabic, Hindi and English.
The exhibition offers a visual spectacle of some of the most eventful moments in the lives of the two historical figures.