Between the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the General Headquarters of the UAE Armed Forces stands Wahat Al Karama, the "Oasis of Dignity" – the nation's memorial to every Emirati who has given their life in service since the country's founding in 1971.
The 46,000-square-metre memorial was unveiled in November 2016 on Commemoration Day, the UAE's annual day of remembrance.
Wahat Al Karama is built not as a single monument but as a landscape of parts: a field of monumental leaning tablets, a circ
...Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, Abu Dhabi
Wahat Al Karama commemorates Emiratis in military, police, diplomatic and civilian service who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1971. It was unveiled in 2016 on Commemoration Day, the annual remembrance day observed on 30 November.
The date marks the death of Salem Suhail bin Khamis Al Dahmani, a young police officer killed in 1971 defending the flag on Greater Tunb island, regarded as the country's first martyr.
At the memorial's centre stand 31 leaning tablets, clad in cast aluminium and inscribed with the UAE's national pledge and poems written by the country's rulers. Nearby, the circular Pavilion of Honour holds over 2,700 plates cast from recycled armoured-vehicle aluminium, each engraved with a fallen Emirati's name.
The tablets represent the support binding soldiers, families and citizens – a design that won the 2017 American Architecture Prize.
Entry to Wahat Al Karama is free, and visitors are welcome to explore the plaza, pavilion and tablets.
The Visitor Centre, expanded with an interactive experience in 2017, uses digital exhibits and touchscreens to share the stories behind the names inscribed at the memorial. An Honour Guard from the UAE Armed Forces performs ceremonies at the site, and the memorial continues to host the UAE's annual Commemoration Day observance.
What is the meaning of Wahat Al Karama?
The Arabic word Wahat Al Karama translates to "Oasis of Dignity", a fitting description for the memorial.
Can I book a guided tour?
Yes. Free guided tours run daily and can be booked at the Visitor Centre. Larger groups are encouraged to arrange their visit in advance. Visitors are also welcome to explore the Memorial Plaza at their own pace, without a guide.
What are the opening hours?
The Visitor Centre is open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with free guided tours running at 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The outdoor Memorial Plaza may remain accessible later into the evening. Hours may be adjusted during Ramadan and on national occasions, so it's worth checking ahead of your visit.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is permitted throughout the memorial. As a site of national remembrance, visitors are asked to be mindful of the setting: posed or celebratory-style photography is discouraged, and the use of professional equipment may require prior approval.
