Today's Edition
Taha Haseeb (Abu Dhabi)
When the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan assumed the leadership of Abu Dhabi in 1966, his dream was to unite the people of the region into one nation. There was a need for a media outlet to document the political movement and chart the country’s rapid developments to the public. From this vision came the idea of establishing a newspaper in Abu Dhabi to support the efforts toward forming the Union of the Emirates.
On October 20, 1969, the first issue of Aletihad newspaper was published, chronicling the aspirations of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to establish the United Arab Emirates. A few years before the UAE’s formation, Aletihad bore witness to Sheikh Zayed’s efforts, then the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and his continuous endeavours alongside the other Rulers of the Emirates to achieve his dream: The establishment of the United Arab Emirates.
Aletihad: The Nation and the Newspaper
The Government of Abu Dhabi, represented by the Department of Information and Tourism, issued the first weekly edition of Aletihad. On October 20, 1969, the paper’s front page carried the headline: “Welcome, Pioneers of the Union”.
From its first days, Aletihad followed the Founding Father’s steps and his aspirations for a Union built on cooperation, dialogue and shared responsibility. These founding steps gave Aletihad a great sense of responsibility towards society: To reflect the pulse of the nation, spread messages of hope, and serve as a bridge of communication between the wise leadership and the people. Since its launch, Aletihad has been the voice of the nation - projecting its image to the world and chronicling its development with optimism and confidence in a bright future.
The message of awareness, the integrity of the word, and the ambition of leadership are the guiding principles that Aletihad has upheld in documenting the nation’s journey of progress and prosperity.
The Beginning
Aletihad began as a 12-page weekly newspaper with a circulation of 5,500 copies, distributed for free to withstand competition from newspapers from other Arab countries.
With the establishment of the UAE in 1971, Aletihad was published on several consecutive days and daily for two weeks starting August 6, 1971, marking the fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed’s accession as Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
From April 22, 1972, Aletihad began publishing daily and introduced colour pages. Later, it launched sections such as the Sports Supplement and Dunia Aletihad, a 16-page daily cultural and entertainment magazine.
In 1981, Aletihad became the first newspaper in the Arab world to use satellite technology to transmit editorial materials when it established a second printing press in Dubai, allowing simultaneous printing in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to overcome distribution delays in remote areas. Today, Aletihad uses state-of-the-art printing technologies that rival international standards.
Journalists work with advanced tools in smart, modern newsrooms equipped with the latest editing and digital media technologies.
Digital Transformation
Aletihad was among the first local newspapers to enter the Internet era, launching its website on Friday, March 15, 1996 - the first UAE paper to do so.
The newspaper has kept pace with digital media developments, establishing its presence on key social media platforms to provide breaking news and diverse content for a wide audience.
Committed to embracing the digital revolution and strengthening its media mission, Aletihad launched its integrated digital project in 2020, unveiling upgraded versions of its website and mobile app, along with five specialised digital platforms focused on economy, entertainment, sports and opinion. These platforms have since grown to 24 digital outlets. This growth was reflected in Aletihad’s TikTok account becoming the fastest-growing among national news platforms in 2024 and 2025.
An Enlightened Mission with Diverse Tools
Aletihad has maintained a balanced, moderate and conscious editorial policy – its compass always pointing towards the nation’s security, stability and prosperity. Throughout its distinguished journey, the newspaper has been an active partner in every phase of the UAE’s development. It has documented, through words and images, the country’s historic milestones with integrity and accuracy.
The newspaper has consistently conveyed the UAE’s message of tolerance and peace, driven by a nation that does not wait for the future but creates it. The UAE’s leadership in advanced technology, AI, and renewable energy has added greater responsibility to Aletihad’s mission: to continuously develop its educational and professional role and effectively engage with new generations through digital and social media platforms. Its unwavering message is built on credibility, objectivity and a commitment to outstanding news service that reaches its audience through diverse, innovative channels.
