The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Alserkal Consulting Foundation, has added Dar Al Union to the National Register of Modern Architectural Heritage, during a visit by H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, and Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, to the building. The move reflects the UAE’s commitment to strengthening national identity and deepening younger generations’ connection to their country’s history.
During the visit, the official plaque marking Dar Al Union’s inclusion in the National Register of Modern Architectural Heritage was unveiled. The register was launched by the Ministry of Culture to document and protect buildings and sites of architectural and historical significance in the UAE, while highlighting their role in shaping national memory and reinforcing the country’s cultural identity.
H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi toured Dar Al Union and reviewed the key milestones of the federation’s founding, as well as the site’s pivotal role in the nation’s history. The building hosted the meetings that paved the way for the إعلان الاتحاد on December 2, 1971, and remains a national symbol embodying unity, cohesion and the shared vision of the Founding Fathers.
The visit also included a dialogue session with the cultural adviser to the President of the State, Zaki Nusseibeh, titled “Dar Al Union.. Celebrating Modern Architectural Heritage”.
A national landmark
H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said Dar Al Union stands as a prominent national and cultural landmark and a witness to the nation’s memory and journey. It was the place that brought the Founding Fathers together and witnessed the birth of the UAE, which placed people at the centre of development and ambition at the heart of achievement.
She said: “Dar Al Union occupies a unique place in our memory. It is a bridge linking the past and the present, and an important national symbol associated with a historic moment created by the Founding Fathers, who laid the foundations of the Union to embody our community’s aspirations for unity and excellence. Under this roof, a dream became reality, and from it began the journey of building a state that, thanks to the vision of its wise leadership, has presented the world with a distinguished model of development, leadership and foresight, so that the values of the Union on which our path was founded remain a source of inspiration guiding our present and shaping our future.”
She expressed pride in Dar Al Union being listed as the first site in the National Register of Modern Architectural Heritage, in recognition of its historical significance and architectural importance. This, she said, contributes to strengthening awareness of the value of national landmarks and safeguarding the UAE’s cultural legacy.
She added that the step reflects the UAE’s commitment to preserving the landmarks that protect collective memory, with all the human stories and authentic values they hold. It documents the story of the UAE, immortalises the efforts of the Founding Fathers who built the nation and helped shape its identity, highlights the richness of the country’s heritage, and enhances its presence for future generations.
The story of unity
Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi said the inclusion of Dar Al Union in the National Register of Modern Architectural Heritage reflects the standing of this exceptional national edifice, which is linked to one of the most important historic moments in the UAE’s journey. He noted that preserving buildings and sites of historical and architectural value is a fundamental pillar in efforts to protect national identity and strengthen future generations’ connection to their country’s history.
He said Dar Al Union remains an enduring symbol of the story of unity that laid the foundations of the UAE and established its development and civilisation journey. Through its inclusion in the National Register of Modern Architectural Heritage, the UAE confirms its commitment to protecting sites of exceptional national and cultural value and ensuring their sustainability as sources of knowledge and inspiration, and as living witnesses to the achievements the state has made since the Union.
He added that the National Register of Modern Architectural Heritage contributes to documenting and celebrating the buildings and sites that formed part of the urban, cultural and social transformations the UAE has witnessed over recent decades, supporting research and documentation, and enhancing the standing of modern architectural heritage as one of the tributaries of national cultural identity.
Historic landmark
Dar Al Union, built in 1965, is one of the UAE’s most significant historic landmarks. It was used by the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum to host official meetings that helped establish the foundations of the Union. On December 2, 1971, the building hosted the signing ceremony of the UAE Constitution and the announcement of the Union, immortalising one of the most important milestones in the region’s history. It also hosted a number of Gulf meetings and official visits by senior leaders during the 1960s and 1970s.
Originally known as “Qasr Al Diyafa”, Dar Al Union is distinguished by its unique architectural design, which combines simplicity and authenticity and reflects the aesthetic features of local architecture in the early second half of the last century.
The building consists of two interlocking sections, one surrounding the other. It is supported by cylindrical concrete columns, while its façades were executed entirely in glass and aluminium, except for the roof and floor, which were constructed using modern building materials. It is now part of the Etihad Museum.
Latifa bint Mohammed:
. Dar Al Union occupies a unique place in our memory. It is a bridge linking the past and the present, and a national symbol associated with a historic moment created by the Founding Fathers, who laid the foundations of the Union.
Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi:
. The National Register of Modern Architectural Heritage contributes to documenting the buildings and sites that formed part of the urban, cultural and social transformations witnessed by the UAE over recent decades.
تابعوا آخر أخبارنا المحلية والرياضية وآخر المستجدات السياسية والإقتصادية عبر Google news