In the Year of Zayed, what better way to learn about the UAE's Founding Father, the principal driving force behind the formation of the country, than to look back at some of his rare photographs and get a glimpse of his life?

A photo exhibition opened on Monday at Dubai Municipality's (DM) Al Kifaf Centre in Jafiliya, Dubai, showcasing rare black and white photos of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan from 1960s until 1980s.

The UAE's Founding Father can be seen talking with Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, his vice-president and the first prime minister of the UAE, and other Arab and world leaders.

Pictures of him sharing dates with Emiratis at a desert camp, reviewing urban plans, visiting public market, inspecting the military, talking and sharing a laugh with people of all ages and watching cultural performances are some of the 100 black and white photos culled from the pages of Akhbar Dubai magazine and the municipality archives.

Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of DM, opened the exhibition which is part of the municipality's plan to launch several initiatives in support of the Year of Zayed.

"The municipality has taken great care to implement the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan by launching many initiatives dedicated to the concept of charitable and humanitarian work, on which the country has been established since the era of the late Sheikh Zayed, who directed to establish a firm approach in the field of extending humanitarian interaction with all groups and segments of different areas and levels," Lootah said.

"The late Sheikh Zayed knew that doing good deeds has no limits. Therefore, he will always remain as a symbol of humanitarian action on the Arab and international levels," he added.

Lootah also expressed his pride in recalling the life of Sheikh Zayed and the principles and values he embodied in his people to learn to sacrifice generously for the homeland.

The photo exhibition, which is open to the public for free, will run at Al Kifaf Centre for two weeks and will move to other DM centres across the city. The municipality has also prepared a documentary film on Sheikh Zayed, which will be shown during the Car Free Day initiative of DM on February 4.

Where is the photo exhibition happening?

The Sheikh Zayed photo exhibition at Al Kifaf Centre will run for two weeks and is open to the public for free. It will move to other Dubai Municipality centres across the city.

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