Under the patronage of Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and President of Zayed University, the celebrations will begin on April 16.

The week-long programme will include a photography and painting exhibition by Shaikha Fatima bint Saqr Al Qassimi, and poetry recital by Shaikha Hend bint Saqr Al Qassimi, Shaikha Al Jaber, Meera Al Qassimi and ZU student Anood Al Braik.

Besides, a seminar titled “Charity without boundaries – Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak in the eyes of the world” will be organised on April 19, where eight prominent speakers will pay tribute to Shaikha Fatima. All these events will be organised in the Abu Dhabi campus of the university.

In the Dubai campus, students will put together a photography exhibition by royal photographer Noor Ali Rashid. A carnival will also be organised, which will include four main parts – fun, show, shops and restaurant – each offering several activities. Poetry recital will also be part of the programmes.

The celebrations will culminate in an official ceremony to be held at the Emirates Palace here on April 22 for women and April 23 for men.

The event will include an opera in eight parts, titled “Mother of the Nation”, by composers Salem Saif Al Khalidi from the UAE and Sami Al Jamaan from Saudi Arabia. This musical show will take the audience through the history and heritage of the UAE, its customs and traditions, the Beduin lifestyle, and the history of the UAE’s education system.

Apart from the opera, the programme will feature songs sung by famous Gulf artistes and a documentary film with interviews of international personalities such as Susan Mubarak, the wife of Egyptian president, Rania Al Abdullah, the Queen of Jordan, and La La Selma, the Queen of Morocco.

During the April 22 ceremony, Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak will receive two honouring certificates from the United Nations Development Fund for Women and the United Nations Development Programme, as appreciation towards her strong support and encouragement to the UAE women.