Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi

Al Wathba is a suburb of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. It has a wetland nearby and is located close to Zayed International Airport. Many people know it as the Zayed Festival village because an important festival, the Sheikh Zayed Festival, is held there.

Al Wathba began to take shape after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in 1966. He worked hard to develop the area, focusing on healthcare, education, and building better places to live. In the 1980s, he asked Sir William Sydney Atkins from the company W.S. Atkins and Partners to help plan new parts of Abu Dhabi, including areas like Al Wathba. Many local Bedouins and people from other parts of the Arabian Peninsula settled there with Sheikh Zayed's support.

Wetland reserve

The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve lies between Bani Yas, Mussafah, and the Abu Dhabi–Al Ain Road. It was created by Sheikh Zayed in 1998. This special place is home to many birds, including the greater flamingo, as well as other water animals. Since 2013, it has been recognized as a important natural site by the Ramsar site program.

Al Wathba Jail

In the 1990s, a worker named Sarah Balabagan was held in Al Wathba Jail after being charged with a serious crime. She said it was self-defense, and after help from Sheikh Zayed, her sentence was reduced, and she was allowed to return home.

Later, in 2009, there were serious claims about someone in the Abu Dhabi royal family treating an employee very badly in the same jail.

In 2011, a person named Ahmad Mansoor was jailed for sharing information online. He was kept alone and not allowed to see a lawyer. The jail also offers programs to help people learn new skills and prepare for life after being released.

Notable events which happened in Al Wathba

Sheikh Zayed Festival

Main article: Sheikh Zayed Festival

The Sheikh Zayed Festival is one of the biggest heritage events in Abu Dhabi. It shows many important parts of the culture and traditions of the United Arab Emirates.

Notable people

Al Wathba is the hometown of Hazza Al Mansouri, an Emirati astronaut who made history by traveling to space.