Taha Haseeb (Abu Dhabi)
Today, Aletihad Arabic newspaper celebrates the 57th anniversary. Since its launch on October 20, 1969, the newspaper has reflected the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in establishing the United Arab Emirates.
Years before the UAE was officially founded, Aletihad was already bearing witness to Sheikh Zayed’s efforts and his collaboration with fellow Rulers in laying the foundations of a united nation, pursuing what became the realisation of his dream: the Union of the United Arab Emirates.
For 57 years, Aletihad has upheld the values of credibility and responsibility, cementing its position as a leading newspaper while continuously embracing advances in media technologies and digital platforms.
Throughout its journey, the newspaper has remained committed to professionalism and objectivity in covering developments across the region and the world. It consistently reflects the UAE’s humanitarian message, infused with the spirit of development, tolerance and peace, while highlighting the nation’s aspirations, achievements, and the success stories of its people.
The newspaper believes that, even in an era dominated by digital platforms and visually driven content, credibility and integrity remain the most valuable tools for earning public trust.
It also maintains that the enduring archival power of print journalism makes it a living memory of nations and an open historical record of daily life in all its details.
Aletihad: A Companion to Nation Building
In 1969, Abu Dhabi's Department of Information and Tourism decided to launch a weekly newspaper named Aletihad. The first issue was published on October 20 of that year.
From its earliest days, Aletihad followed the aspirations and ambitions of the Founding Father in building the Union. Its first front page carried the phrase, “Welcome, Pioneers of the Union”, reflecting the spirit of the nation whose foundations were laid by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Sheikh Zayed’s vision of state-building gave the newspaper a profound responsibility towards society. It became a platform that conveyed the pulse of the nation, spread a message of hope, and served as a bridge between the leadership and the people.
A Journey of Continuous Development
Aletihad began as a 12-page weekly publication with a circulation of 5,500 copies. To withstand competition from newspapers imported from other Arab countries, it was distributed free of charge.
Following the establishment of the UAE in 1971, the newspaper began publishing for several consecutive days and, on August 6, 1971, issued daily editions for two weeks to mark the fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed assuming leadership in Abu Dhabi.
On April 22, 1972, Aletihad became a daily newspaper and introduced colour pages.
The newspaper also made history in 1981 by becoming the first in the Arab world to use satellite technology for transmitting editorial material.
A second printing press was established in Dubai, allowing simultaneous printing in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai and helping overcome distribution delays to remote areas.
Today, Aletihad uses advanced printing technologies comparable to those employed by leading international newspapers.
Embracing Technological Change
Aletihad was among the first newspapers in the UAE to establish an online presence, launching its website on March 15, 1996.
It was also among the pioneers of technological innovation in Arab media. Even before transitioning to cable-based systems in the mid-1980s, it became the first Gulf newspaper to receive photographs via radio transmission in 1978.
As part of its commitment to strengthening its digital footprint and expanding its reach, Aletihad launched an integrated digital transformation project in 2020.
This included upgraded versions of its website and mobile application, as well as five new specialised digital platforms covering business, lifestyle, sports, opinion, and other topics.
Those platforms have since grown to 24 digital channels. Within this ecosystem, Aletihad’s TikTok account became the fastest-growing news platform in the UAE in terms of follower growth during 2024 and 2025.
Witness to the UAE’s Achievements
From the founding of the UAE to the launch of the Hope Probe, the nation's space exploration initiatives, Expo 2020 Dubai, COP28, the participation of Emirati astronauts aboard the International Space Station, the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference hosted in Abu Dhabi in February 2024, and the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Abu Dhabi from September 26 to October 1, 2026, Aletihad has documented the UAE’s most significant milestones.
Over the years, Aletihad has attracted leading writers and opinion leaders, hosting distinguished Arab thinkers and intellectuals including the late Hassan Hanafi, Tayyeb Tizini, and Mohammed Abed Al-Jabri. It has also collaborated with international media organisations to enrich its coverage of economics, energy, advanced sciences, sustainability, opinion writing and political analysis.
Building Awareness
Since 2006, Aletihad has marked its anniversary by organising an annual forum that brings together prominent thinkers, researchers and academics to discuss issues of local, regional, and global importance.
Across its 20 previous editions, the forum has addressed a broad range of pivotal topics, including Iran’s nuclear programme, Arab culture in the age of globalisation, the future of Arab journalism, religion and society in the Arab world, Arab relations with neighbouring countries, the challenges of the Arab Spring, transformations in the Arab world, the nation-state, terrorism, the Houthi coup and the Gulf response, Gulf cooperation in combating terrorism, Arabs 100 years after Sykes-Picot, the UAE’s image in the media, human fraternity, the UAE’s message of peace, economic development and civilisational progress, the knowledge economy, COP28 and climate action, the UAE’s leadership in artificial intelligence and the UAE as a maker of peace.
As Aletihad continues its media journey, it remains committed to professional standards and to embracing technological innovation.
It strives to remain a national platform for enlightened thought, strengthening loyalty and belonging while inspiring future generations to support the aspirations of the UAE’s leadership and contribute to the nation's continued progress.
