Bain Al Jisrain - Al Maqtaa to be renamed Rabdan after famous purebred Arabian horse and Ras Ghurab Island to be renamed Al Alya

Under the directives of  H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), represented by Abu Dhabi City Municipality, has announced that the district of Bain Al Jisrain - Al Maqtaa in Abu Dhabi, will now be known as Rabdan. This is the name of a purebred horse that His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE owns.

The Rabdan, one of the most famous Arabian horses, is considered part of the UAE’s rich heritage and Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi between 1855-1909 was known to have owned the breed.

Today, the UAE continues to ensure the lineage remains a key part of the UAE’s heritage. The DMT also announced that Ras Ghurab Island in Abu Dhabi will now be called Al Alya, which symbolizes something of a high status or standing.

Abu Dhabi City Municipality called on all institutions, entities and relevant authorities to adopt the new names Rabdan and Al Alya and replace all signs with their new names.

Rabdan refers to a greyish color as many of the horse are a dusty black color.  Al Alya means the high status or standing of a person in society, it can also means the highest point of a spear or sword and refer to someone who is honorable.