“Once upon a time, in a newsroom not far from here…” Actually, let’s rewind to October 20, 1969. That’s when the first issue of Al Ettihad newspaper emerged.
Al Ettihad wasn’t just ink on paper. It was the voice of a nation in the making. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan envisioned a united Emirates. Al Ettihad became the mouthpiece of this dream.
The name Al Ettihad itself means “the union”. This newspaper wasn’t just reporting news. It was embodying the very spirit of the UAE. It stood for objective positions and orientations.
Initially, Al Ettihad was a weekly affair. Twelve pages. 5500 copies. Imagine trying to compete with papers from all over the Arab world. Sometimes, they even gave it away for free.
Fast forward to 1971. The UAE was officially founded. Al Ettihad went daily. It marked the occasion with consecutive daily publications. It also celebrated Sheikh Zayed’s fifth anniversary as ruler of Abu Dhabi with two weeks of daily editions.
Since April 22, 1972, Al Ettihad has been a daily fixture. Today, it is a 32-page advanced format. It is printed with color. A 16-page sports supplement followed. Then came Dunia Al-Ittihad. It is a 16-page daily magazine. It is filled with art and culture.
Al Ettihad led the way in technology. In 1981, it was the first Arab newspaper to use satellite transmission. This allowed simultaneous printing. They even opened a second printing press in Dubai. This ensured northerners got their news on time.
Today, Al Ettihad boasts advanced printing presses. The printing quality rivals international newspapers. This commitment to quality is still honored today.
Around 200 journalists work for Al Ettihad. They are spread across the UAE. There are headquarters in Abu Dhabi. There are bureaus in Dubai, Fujairah, and Ras Al-Khaimah. They also have a bureau in Cairo. Plus, correspondents in major Arab and international cities.
Al Ettihad journalists use cutting-edge technology. The smart newsroom is equipped with modern devices. They use NewsPress. This program integrates every stage of content creation. It goes from newsgathering to printing.
Al Ettihad was also a pioneer online. On March 15, 1996, it launched a website. It was the first UAE newspaper to do so. Today, Al Ettihad is on every social media platform. It delivers breaking news and varied content. It seeks to meet the desires of all readers.
So, as you stand here, remember Al Ettihad. It is more than a newspaper. It is a symbol of unity, progress, and the enduring spirit of the UAE.