Multaqa talk focuses on the women who shaped Sheikh Zayed

A photo of Sheikha Salama, the mother of Sheikh Zayed. Ronald Codrai / TCS Abu Dhabi

Two of the country’s most important women will be celebrated during a public presentation and discussion on Tuesday, March 29.

Sheikh Zayed’s mother, Salama Bint Butti, and his wife, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, are the subject of the next Multaqa talk in collaboration with the Zayed National Museum.

The presentation will touch upon the life stories of the women, with a focus on how they supported Sheikh Zayed and influenced his thinking and leadership.

Maitha Al Shamsi, a personal adviser to Sheikha Fatima, and Minister of State Maryam Al Roumi will lead the talk, as part of the Mother of the Nation Festival. It will be moderated by Salama Al Shamsi, the project manager for Zayed National Museum.

“Both our speakers supported Sheikha Fatima in her many projects regarding family and social development as well as humanitarian efforts, so they know details about her personal and professional life, which they will share with us,” says Salama Al Shamsi.

The details of Sheikha Salama’s life will be fascinating, she explains, because even while Sheikh Zayed, her youngest son, was a child, she was known to be a formidable woman.

This is the second annual series of the Multaqa talks, which aim to shed light on the content of the forthcoming national museum.

“Our aim throughout the whole Multaqa series is to share with the audience a glimpse of what they will see in the Zayed National Museum when it is completed,” says Salama Al Shamsi. “We want to share history, knowledge and research because ultimately the museum is a place for learning and exchanging thoughts and ideas.”

She stressed how important it was for the public to attend the discussions and to engage with the speakers.

“We are very keen to hear from the audience and the public about what they would like to see in their national museum,” she says.

“We want people to interact, be part of the development and in that way, become more aware of the deep history of the UAE.

We are to be a museum of the people, and for the people and so without them we won’t be able to achieve our goals.”

• Multaqa Zayed National Museum’s An Inspiration: Salama bint Butti & Fatima bint Mubarak will take place Tuesday, March 29, from 7pm to 8.30pm, on the main stage of the Mother of the Nation Festival, Abu Dhabi Corniche