- ‘Erth Dubai’ initiative attracts over 5,000 participants and tops one million in social media engagement since launch
- ‘Erth Dubai’ is one of the largest community-led documentation initiatives of its kind
- Initiative creates a rich archive of stories and personal accounts of life in Dubai across the decades
- Initiative attracts submissions from citizens and residents across the emirate
- New ‘Erth Dubai’ mobile application launched to broaden participation and make the initiative easily accessible to the public
‘Erth Dubai’, one of the largest and most inclusive community and cultural initiatives launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has attracted contributions from over 5,000 participants since its inception in February 2025.
Residents and citizens from all over the emirate have been involved in the initiative on its official website and digital platforms, leaving behind a treasure trove of stories and personal narratives of life in Dubai throughout the decades. The initiative has mustered more than one million in social media interaction to date.
Read Also: DGHR Declares Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday Holiday
The submissions capture diverse aspects of the emirate’s history, highlighting personal experiences that reflect Dubai’s values, customs and traditions. Notable contributions include stories of economic, educational, trade and artistic development, as well as intergenerational accounts of maritime life, fishing practices, shipbuilding, and daily life in older neighbuorhoods.
The initiative’s social media sites have seen high levels of interaction, with interactive posts prompting users to contribute their own stories and historical pictures. This influx of public engagement has driven the momentum of the initiative and attracted the attention of cultural and media circles locally within the UAE as well as internationally.
Ahmed Saeed Al Sharid, General Coordinator of the ‘Erth Dubai’ initiative, praised the strong support of the leadership, noting that the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, continue to inspire the drive to document Dubai’s history for future generations.
He said: “The response over the past few months reflects the community’s deep awareness of the value of preserving history and safeguarding Dubai’s heritage. The unwavering support of our leadership is key to this success. The vision of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed provides a clear framework for making the documentation of Dubai’s past a truly national and inclusive mission.”
Also Read: Flydubai Honors Emirati Women in Aviation
Al Sharid further stated: “Following its initial success, the ‘Erth Dubai’ initiative keeps growing in alignment with HH Sheikh Hamdan’s vision and instructions. In its subsequent phase, we wish to broaden participation scope and ensure documentation tools are even more accessible, cementing Dubai’s role as a city that respects its heritage while constructing its future.”
Launch of ‘Erth Dubai’ App
Al Sharid also announced the launch of the new ‘Erth Dubai’ mobile application, designed to broaden participation and make the initiative easily accessible. The app’s user-friendly interface allows individuals to upload stories in written or recorded formats, along with supporting images and historical documents. The app will play a key role in accelerating the data collection process, connecting contributions through a unified interactive platform and enhancing the quality and dissemination of content, he said.
As part of youth engagement efforts, a special event honoured students taking part in the initiative’s ‘School Challenge’ for outstanding submissions featuring their parents and grandparents.
‘Erth Dubai’ continues to invite citizens and residents to share personal stories on life in Dubai across different phases of its development through the initiative’s website or new mobile app.
One of the most ambitious community documentation efforts of its kind, ‘Erth Dubai’ forms part of strategic initiatives launched by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed to preserve the emirate’s history and cultural legacy, including the development of the Dubai National Archive under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library.
