Abu Dhabi merges areas, renames island to reflect heritage

Two areas in Abu Dhabi have been merged and an island renamed in a bid to preserve and promote the emirate’s heritage.

Al Maqta and Bawabat Abu Dhabi will be known as Rabdan from now on.

It’s renamed after Founding Father Sheikh Zayed’s horse, and one of the horses of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

It represents strength, courage and fearlessness, and reflects the UAE’s interest in thoroughbreds.

It comes under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to "embody the importance of heritage in naming cities and areas across the emirate".

Under the directives of Mohamed bin Zayed and the follow-up of Hazza bin Zayed, the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City merges Al Maqta and Bawabat Abu Dhabi areas into one area named Rabdan, embodying the importance of heritage in naming cities and areas across the emirate. pic.twitter.com/lJgDzDBxwU

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) July 8, 2020

Under the directives of Mohamed bin Zayed & the follow-up of Hazza bin Zayed, @AbuDhabi_ADM officially renames Ras Ghorab Island to Al Aliah Island, as part of the Abu Dhabi Government’s plans to implement several infrastructure projects & showcase the unique beauty of the island pic.twitter.com/S3DTzGhqdo

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) July 8, 2020

Meanwhile, Ras Ghurab Island will be renamed Al Aliah, which means the “honourable one”. It also means the upper part of a spear or sword and reflects the area’s elevated position. 

A number of infrastructural projects will be undertaken to highlight the distinctive features of the area, the Abu Dhabi Media Office added in a series of tweets.