The National Library and Archives focuses on artificial intelligence techniques in the field of translation.
At its Third International Translation Conference, perceiving "Technology as a Fast Bridge to the Future".  

The National Library and Archives third international translation conference, held at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi during the period from (8-9) March 2023, shall focus on artificial intelligence great impact on translation, and the role of modern technology in machine translation development, taking into consideration that researchers and specialists shall present at the conference thirty research papers highlighting the artificial intelligence role in translation development.

The National Library and Archives' great interest in this conference, which will be held under the theme "Artificial Intelligence, Translation and the Enrichment of National Libraries", stems from the constant evolution of machine translation, and the NLA’s firm belief that it is a prime cross-culture and border tributary nourishing universal thought.

Thirty translation researchers and specialists including university professors and other professionals with international translation experience shall participate in this specialized international conference, including 12 researchers from the   UAE and 18 from abroad.
On the importance of this conference, His Excellency Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives said: "The combination of translation with modern technologies, and artificial intelligence, along with the development of social media virtual platforms – resulted in achieving quantum translation leaps. The openness to technological media, programs and curricula’s modern information systems development methods which have strongly invaded the translation field resulted in enhancing translation efficiency and flexibility, and in its contribution to improving performance, production and achieving the desired goals that match the developments and meet potential challenges.
He added: " The National Library and Archives attached great importance to the power of knowledge and to keeping pace with the world technology and artificial intelligence, it keeps pace with these societies’ transformation towards knowledge societies, and the economy’s quantum leap towards a knowledge economy.   This aims at perceiving the future as we proceed towards the UAE centenary where our nation aspires to take the lead in various fields, especially the field of knowledge production, localization and employment, and to establish its basic pillars including education, scientific research and innovation, information technology and communication development, and an interest in various languages and translation. The UAE was one of the first countries to implement the civilizational and human transformation from an information society to a knowledge society, then to innovation society.
"In line with our wise leadership’s aspirations perceiving technology as the bridge to the future, the National Library and Archives attached great interest to the importance of artificial intelligence media, especially in the field of translation. Accordingly, the National Library and Archives Third International Translation Conference focused on Studies and research related to the artificial intelligence techniques  and their optimal employment in the field of translation to empower translators  and enhance their translation skills and experience, which paves their way towards achieving a knowledge economy.  

The National Library and Archives focuses on artificial intelligence techniques in the field of translation.
At its Third International Translation Conference, perceiving "Technology as a Fast Bridge to the Future".  

The National Library and Archives third international translation conference, held at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi during the period from (8-9) March 2023, shall focus on artificial intelligence great impact on translation, and the role of modern technology in machine translation development, taking into consideration that researchers and specialists shall present at the conference thirty research papers highlighting the artificial intelligence role in translation development.

The National Library and Archives' great interest in this conference, which will be held under the theme "Artificial Intelligence, Translation and the Enrichment of National Libraries", stems from the constant evolution of machine translation, and the NLA’s firm belief that it is a prime cross-culture and border tributary nourishing universal thought.

Thirty translation researchers and specialists including university professors and other professionals with international translation experience shall participate in this specialized international conference, including 12 researchers from the   UAE and 18 from abroad.
On the importance of this conference, His Excellency Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives said: "The combination of translation with modern technologies, and artificial intelligence, along with the development of social media virtual platforms – resulted in achieving quantum translation leaps. The openness to technological media, programs and curricula’s modern information systems development methods which have strongly invaded the translation field resulted in enhancing translation efficiency and flexibility, and in its contribution to improving performance, production and achieving the desired goals that match the developments and meet potential challenges.
He added: " The National Library and Archives attached great importance to the power of knowledge and to keeping pace with the world technology and artificial intelligence, it keeps pace with these societies’ transformation towards knowledge societies, and the economy’s quantum leap towards a knowledge economy.   This aims at perceiving the future as we proceed towards the UAE centenary where our nation aspires to take the lead in various fields, especially the field of knowledge production, localization and employment, and to establish its basic pillars including education, scientific research and innovation, information technology and communication development, and an interest in various languages and translation. The UAE was one of the first countries to implement the civilizational and human transformation from an information society to a knowledge society, then to innovation society.
"In line with our wise leadership’s aspirations perceiving technology as the bridge to the future, the National Library and Archives attached great interest to the importance of artificial intelligence media, especially in the field of translation. Accordingly, the National Library and Archives Third International Translation Conference focused on Studies and research related to the artificial intelligence techniques  and their optimal employment in the field of translation to empower translators  and enhance their translation skills and experience, which paves their way towards achieving a knowledge economy.  

The National Library and Archives Announces the Abu Dhabi Scholarships Program and Extends the Participating Papers submission deadline
To encourage participation in the International Council on Archives Congress, Abu Dhabi.
The National Library and Archives announced the extension of the deadline for the submission of research-papers for the International Council on Archives Congress, Abu Dhabi until March 2, 2023, to provide further opportunity for specialized research that shall enrich the Congress, held in Abu Dhabi under the theme "Enriching Knowledge Societies" from 9-13 October.
The participating research-papers should include the five sub-themes approved by the conference organizing committee, namely: Peace and tolerance, Emerging technologies: electronic records and electronic solutions,
Sustainable knowledge and sustainable planet: Archives, records, and climate change,
Trust and evidence,
Access and memories, in addition to other contemporary or future challenges facing the archives industry.
To further encourage various parties to participate in the International Council on Archives Congress, Abu Dhabi, the organizing committee announced  the funding of the Abu Dhabi Scholarship Program 2023 for 300 participants to travel to Abu Dhabi and attend the International Council on Archives Congress activities next October, in order to further promote scientific interest and advance Arab and international archives, as well as cultural heritage preservation methods, and to allow access to the world human heritage in accordance with the latest adopted standards and practices, to lay foundations for a diverse well-presented society in the ICA Congress, and to benefit the archives’ professionals and specialists through world leading experts and specialists’ distinguished experience exchange at the International Council on Archives Congress, Abu Dhabi.
The National Library and Archives provided access to details on each of the themes through the following link: https://abudhabi2023.ae/ar/sub-themes-ar/
The organizing committee shall receive participants’ papers via: https://www.openconf.org/ICAAbuDhabi2020/openconf.php,  
and shall receive suggestions, proposals and queries via the following e-mail: programme@ica.org
The organizing committee held a webinar on February 23, 2023 that included detailed explanation of travelling to Abu Dhabi, and addressed all queries relating to the UAE capital.
It is noteworthy that the scholarship program registration shall start from March 2023, and shall be announced on the website: www.abudhabi2023.ae
 An online application form shall be available on the website, with full explanation of the evaluation and selection process for all interested parties.

Emphasizing the importance of sustainability, creativity and innovation in providing specialized and distinguished services
The National Library and Archives organizes the Customers Forum 2023 and commends their role in the next phase

 The National Library and Archives organized the Customers Forum 2023 virtually, as part of its keenness to develop and improve the services provided to customers based on their comments and suggestions which serve the NLA’s strategy in this field.
Mr. Farhan Al Marzouqi, Director of the Corporate and Community Outreach Department opened the forum with a speech in which he welcomed the participants. He also stressed the importance of this forum in achieving sustainability, creativity and innovation in the National Library and Archives. This is based on its Strategic Plan (2022-2025), which took accelerators and transformational projects as its slogan, and on its constant communication with the public.
Al Marzouqi pointed to the importance of the current stage as the National Library and Archives is establishing the National Library to be an edifice on par with the largest libraries in the world.
He uncovered the NLA’s most important projects on this year’s agenda, chiefly the International Council on Archives’ Congress which will be hosted in Abu Dhabi in October 2023.
Next, Mrs. Hind Al-Hemeiri, Head of the Community Programs Section, delivered a speech in which she applauded the development ideas and constructive proposals presented by the participants in the forum. She also pointed out that the NLA considers its customers’ ideas and suggestions and implements them whenever they serve their interest. She referred to the importance of the customers’ feedback in this context as it contributes to evaluating the NLA’s services.

Then, the Strategic Planning Office of the National Library and Archives reviewed the Strategic Plan (2022-2025) and its data. It also stressed its alignment with the UAE's strategy and the directives of the wise leadership, which looks forward to the UAE occupying the forefront globally on its centenary.

Finally, the Archives Department shed light on the services provided by the National Library and Archives and ways to access them. It noted that the NLA adheres to the highest standards in providing them, in meeting requests with the lowest possible procedures, and in keenly making the customer's journey a joyful and happy experience.

It is worth noting that the Customers Forum 2023 addressed the participants' comments, inquiries, and future expectations. It also praised their interest, suggestions and development ideas.

Exploring the Gulf’s History from Al Ain to Muscat and Sanaa,
In its new issue, Liwa navigates the history of economy, culture, community and politics.
The National Library and Archives has published the 28th issue of Liwa, an academic referred journal. It contains referred research papers on the history, heritage and archeology of the UAE, Gulf region and Arabian Peninsula, in Arabic and English.
The journal’s research papers are consistent with the NLA’s role in providing documented information about the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region. Moreover, they enrich the knowledge of researchers, academics and those interested in such information and bridge the gap between them and the Nation’s memory.
The new issue begins with a paper entitled “The Architectural and Artistic Features of Mud Houses in Al Ain”, written by the researcher Dhia Al Deen Al Tawalba. He concluded that mud houses in Al Ain are characterized by their simple architectural and artistic elements and the harmonious planning and space, which take into account the climate conditions and inherited traditions.
The researcher points out that these houses are distinguished by their local style. They were made of primary materials: mud, wood and palm trunks, which are available in local environment. The research paper divided houses into three groups in terms of their architecture: houses that have a yard surrounded by walls, big houses of multiple floors with a yard surrounded by walls and small houses consisting of one room without any yard.
The second research entitled “The Date Palms and the Ancient Emirati Man: Maleha as a Model” is written by Khalid Husein Saleh. He tackled the factors behind the agricultural growth in Maleha, its crops and agricultural heritage. He also shed the light on palm trees and the beginning of dates consumption in the Emirates along with evidence about how Maleha’s people benefited from palm trees, etc.
Furthermore, the third research entitled “A Historical Overview on Sanaa’s Ancient Mosques” was written by Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Enab. He reviewed the different functions of Sanaa’s historical mosques and their urban features, architecture, planning and components as well as the various building materials. Moreover, the research highlighted Sanaa’s minarets.
It found out that Sanna has diverse mosques, and they maintained their local Yemeni character that deeply reflects the civilizational and cultural heritage. For centuries, the mosques withstood the human aggression, climate fluctuations and natural factors, and they have remained testimony to the authentic Arab and Islamic civilization.
As for the families’ libraries in the UAE, Al Serkal Library in particular, Nasser Bin Ahmed Al Serkal wrote about this library, which contained a number of valuable manuscripts on chemistry, astronomy, navigation and history. Some of these manuscripts have become rare, and they significant information.
With regard to the cultural and charitable role of the pearl traders in the UAE in the 1990s, the researcher, Halima Ali Al Naqbi, used the poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais and Juma Al Majid as models. She concluded that the major pearl traders made great cultural contributions, especially in the first half of the twentieth century, as they hoped that their nation would achieve some of the progress made by other countries which witnessed economic development and prosperity before the Gulf region. With the foundation of the UAE and the revival of the economy and all aspects of life, significant figures emerged in the society, such as the merchant and poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais and Juma Al Majid, who followed the example of pearl traders by spreading education and culture and encouraging scholars and intellectuals.
The journal included, in its new issue, a number of research papers in English, most notably “The Cultural and Charitable Role of Pearl Traders in the UAE in the Ninth Decade of the Twentieth Century: The Poet Sultan bin Ali Al Owais, and Juma Al-Majid as models” in addition to what was written by Dr. Saif Al Bedwawi, Professor of Arabian Gulf’s Modern History at Sharjah University, about “Sir William Luce "Role in the Gulf (1970-1971)”.
In its 28th issue, Liwa contains another paper in English, entitled "Bahrain’s Political Socialization in the Early 1970s” and a review of Pierre Blancard’s book: The Economy of Muscat 1771, A Forgotten Account.
For further information and subscription, you may visit the NLA’s website: www.nla.ae

The National Library and Archives Launches the 13th edition of the Young Historian Award.
The Award Themes Enrich the Year of Sustainability in the UAE

Pursuant to its mission of preserving the history, culture and heritage of the UAE, the National Library and Archives, in cooperation  with the Emirates Schools Establishment,  announced the launch of the thirteenth edition of the  Young Historian Award with the aim of promoting the values of loyalty and belonging to the homeland and its wise leadership, instilling the national identity in students, developing historical awareness and developing research, criticism and analytical skills among young generations and prompting them to preserve the authentic history and heritage of the UAE, and instilling the value of tolerance and dialogue of civilizations as fundamental pillars towards the next fifty years.
On this edition of the Young Historian Award, Mr. Hamad Al-Hamiri, Director of the Research and Knowledge Services Department, Chairman of  the Award’s Organizing Committee, said: "The Young Historian Award, to which the National Library and Archives’ senior management dedicates great interest and attention, is highly popular and appreciated  among students at state schools’ level, especially as each Award edition awards the  winners, and the National Library and Archives issues a publication including the winning researches, and these publications are references that enhance and enrich students, researchers, readers and all interested parties’ knowledge of in general.
He added: "The award develops every year as it keeps pace with life changes and developments, and consistently promotes the national values and concepts to which the UAE wise leadership attaches great interest. From this point of view, the award’s current edition topics included the theme of "Sustainability in the UAE" in line with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the UAE’s declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability in the UAE, with the aim of highlighting Sustainability issues, especially as the UAE has always sought to maintain sustainability that leads to a prosperous future for generations.
The Young Historian Award in its new edition targets the fifth to twelfth grades’ students, for which research fields are allocated to the third cycle of the ninth to twelfth grades’ students, while participation in the award’s second cycle of the fifth to eighth grades is limited to preparing reports on an economic, social or a geographical aspect of the UAE life.
The Young Historian Award 2023 includes the following categories: oral history, geographic, economic, and social history, and Emirati studies.
The 13th edition required reports are: “A history of an institution” in which the student recounts in ten pages the history and development of an institution, as well as its role in achieving the UAE vision, or a book on the UAE translated from English to Arabic, which content students summarize and provide their views on.
It is noteworthy that the organizing committee shall start receiving students' research and reports the first week of May 2023 to be reviewed in the two following weeks, and the National Library and Archives shall organize the honoring ceremony the second week of June 2023.
All Parties interested in participating and registering may further learn about the Award’s 13th edition or fill out the application form upon visiting the National Library and Archives’ website: www.nla.ae
 Or email: YAH@nla.ae

Exploring the Gulf’s History from Al Ain to Muscat and Sanaa,
In its new issue, Liwa navigates the history of economy, culture, community and politics.
The National Library and Archives has published the 28th issue of Liwa, an academic referred journal. It contains referred research papers on the history, heritage and archeology of the UAE, Gulf region and Arabian Peninsula, in Arabic and English.
The journal’s research papers are consistent with the NLA’s role in providing documented information about the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region. Moreover, they enrich the knowledge of researchers, academics and those interested in such information and bridge the gap between them and the Nation’s memory.
The new issue begins with a paper entitled “The Architectural and Artistic Features of Mud Houses in Al Ain”, written by the researcher Dhia Al Deen Al Tawalba. He concluded that mud houses in Al Ain are characterized by their simple architectural and artistic elements and the harmonious planning and space, which take into account the climate conditions and inherited traditions.
The researcher points out that these houses are distinguished by their local style. They were made of primary materials: mud, wood and palm trunks, which are available in local environment. The research paper divided houses into three groups in terms of their architecture: houses that have a yard surrounded by walls, big houses of multiple floors with a yard surrounded by walls and small houses consisting of one room without any yard.
The second research entitled “The Date Palms and the Ancient Emirati Man: Maleha as a Model” is written by Khalid Husein Saleh. He tackled the factors behind the agricultural growth in Maleha, its crops and agricultural heritage. He also shed the light on palm trees and the beginning of dates consumption in the Emirates along with evidence about how Maleha’s people benefited from palm trees, etc.
Furthermore, the third research entitled “A Historical Overview on Sanaa’s Ancient Mosques” was written by Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Enab. He reviewed the different functions of Sanaa’s historical mosques and their urban features, architecture, planning and components as well as the various building materials. Moreover, the research highlighted Sanaa’s minarets.
It found out that Sanna has diverse mosques, and they maintained their local Yemeni character that deeply reflects the civilizational and cultural heritage. For centuries, the mosques withstood the human aggression, climate fluctuations and natural factors, and they have remained testimony to the authentic Arab and Islamic civilization.
As for the families’ libraries in the UAE, Al Serkal Library in particular, Nasser Bin Ahmed Al Serkal wrote about this library, which contained a number of valuable manuscripts on chemistry, astronomy, navigation and history. Some of these manuscripts have become rare, and they significant information.
With regard to the cultural and charitable role of the pearl traders in the UAE in the 1990s, the researcher, Halima Ali Al Naqbi, used the poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais and Juma Al Majid as models. She concluded that the major pearl traders made great cultural contributions, especially in the first half of the twentieth century, as they hoped that their nation would achieve some of the progress made by other countries which witnessed economic development and prosperity before the Gulf region. With the foundation of the UAE and the revival of the economy and all aspects of life, significant figures emerged in the society, such as the merchant and poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais and Juma Al Majid, who followed the example of pearl traders by spreading education and culture and encouraging scholars and intellectuals.
The journal included, in its new issue, a number of research papers in English, most notably “The Cultural and Charitable Role of Pearl Traders in the UAE in the Ninth Decade of the Twentieth Century: The Poet Sultan bin Ali Al Owais, and Juma Al-Majid as models” in addition to what was written by Dr. Saif Al Bedwawi, Professor of Arabian Gulf’s Modern History at Sharjah University, about “Sir William Luce "Role in the Gulf (1970-1971)”.
In its 28th issue, Liwa contains another paper in English, entitled "Bahrain’s Political Socialization in the Early 1970s” and a review of Pierre Blancard’s book: The Economy of Muscat 1771, A Forgotten Account.
For further information and subscription, you may visit the NLA’s website: www.nla.ae

In its aim to enhance, complement and support its distinguished publication entitled “um Kulthum in Abu Dhabi” and concurrently with the anniversary and memory of her death.
The National Library and Archives Organized a Session where um Kulthum's Songs’ Oud rhythms were played and well received by the Cairo International Book Fair visitors.
The National Library and Archives organized a musical session where wonderful oud rhythms of some of the songs of um Kulthum who was given the honorary title “the Lady of Arabic Song" were played, at its participating platform in the Cairo International Book Fair 2023. This came to enhance, complement and support its distinguished publication entitled “Um Kulthum in Abu Dhabi” displayed at its participating platform concurrently with the forty-eighth anniversary and memory of the demise of “Kawkab Al-charq".
The played oud melodies at that event enhanced the displayed publication’s richness, and the great interest and attention it received from the book-fair visitors, and all interested in Um Kulthum’s history. The book documents a bright page and important stage of the cultural history of the United Arab Emirates, in writing and through photos of how the Founding Father and Leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan received the iconic singer um Kulthum at Al Manhal Palace. The book recounts in detail her trip to Abu Dhabi and the popular songs she performed.
The "um Kulthum in Abu Dhabi" book documents an important stage that indicates and stresses the deep relations and strong ties bonding the two brotherly countries; the United Arab Emirates and the Arab Republic of Egypt. That book is unique in its provided details of Um Kulthum's visit to Abu Dhabi, her attendance of the first Union flag hoisting ceremony in Abu Dhabi, and her congratulations and blessings offered to the UAE Ruler and People on the occasion of the auspicious union.
This book’s cultural value stems from the exerted efforts of its Author, His Excellency Mohammed Al-Murr, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Library and Archives, as he documents various aspects of the Founding Leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s journey, and his role in spreading culture, and shedding light on an important stage of the UAE modern cultural history.
The oud session organized by the National Library and Archives at its participating platform at the Cairo International Book Fair was very popular and exceptionally well received by the Book Fair visitors, um Kulthum’s fans, as well as all lovers of old authentic Arabic songs.

In the “Memory of the Nation” platform in Sheikh Zayed Festival
The National Library and Archives sheds lights on Health, Education and Agriculture in the UAE
The National Library and Archives showed a great interest in agriculture, education in all stages and health care in the United Arab Emirates in the “Memory of the Nation” platform, by which it participates in the current edition of Sheikh Zayed Festival. The three fields are among the objectives of the sustainable development. They have attracted the attention of the founder and builder of the nation, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan since the beginnings of the renaissance of the UAE. The United Arab Emirates, under its wise leadership, continued to follow his approach to achieve the goals of sustainable development.
The National Library and Archives shows on a display screen the importance of education as an investment in human resources. The higher the percentage of education, the greater the productivity of human resources and the individual. That is positively reflected at the national level. The National Library and Archives’ national role in the sound national upbringing of generations - encourages it to document the history of education in the UAE and to contribute to the educational process.
Another display screen highlights the aspects of the origins and development of agriculture, which has changed the face of the UAE environment through the great efforts of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who gave nature a bright green touch after his famous saying: “Give me agriculture .. I guarantee you civilization”. What the National Library and Archive presented in the platform about agriculture is only a reminder of the generous kind efforts of Sheikh Zayed in this field. The National Library and Archives has published many books documenting Sheikh Zayed’ genius in the field of agriculture and environmental improvement.
A third display screen highlights the UAE’s interest in health care as one of the pillars emphasized in the National Agenda. The government has made efforts to enhance health care for the population, both citizens and residents, through providing medical services and health facilities that show the UAE’s keenness on the individual health and safety.

Exploring the Gulf’s History from Al Ain to Muscat and Sanaa,
In its new issue, Liwa navigates the history of economy, culture, community and politics.
The National Library and Archives has published the 28th issue of Liwa, an academic referred journal. It contains referred research papers on the history, heritage and archeology of the UAE, Gulf region and Arabian Peninsula, in Arabic and English.
The journal’s research papers are consistent with the NLA’s role in providing documented information about the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region. Moreover, they enrich the knowledge of researchers, academics and those interested in such information and bridge the gap between them and the Nation’s memory.
The new issue begins with a paper entitled “The Architectural and Artistic Features of Mud Houses in Al Ain”, written by the researcher Dhia Al Deen Al Tawalba. He concluded that mud houses in Al Ain are characterized by their simple architectural and artistic elements and the harmonious planning and space, which take into account the climate conditions and inherited traditions.
The researcher points out that these houses are distinguished by their local style. They were made of primary materials: mud, wood and palm trunks, which are available in local environment. The research paper divided houses into three groups in terms of their architecture: houses that have a yard surrounded by walls, big houses of multiple floors with a yard surrounded by walls and small houses consisting of one room without any yard.
The second research entitled “The Date Palms and the Ancient Emirati Man: Maleha as a Model” is written by Khalid Husein Saleh. He tackled the factors behind the agricultural growth in Maleha, its crops and agricultural heritage. He also shed the light on palm trees and the beginning of dates consumption in the Emirates along with evidence about how Maleha’s people benefited from palm trees, etc.
Furthermore, the third research entitled “A Historical Overview on Sanaa’s Ancient Mosques” was written by Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Enab. He reviewed the different functions of Sanaa’s historical mosques and their urban features, architecture, planning and components as well as the various building materials. Moreover, the research highlighted Sanaa’s minarets.
It found out that Sanna has diverse mosques, and they maintained their local Yemeni character that deeply reflects the civilizational and cultural heritage. For centuries, the mosques withstood the human aggression, climate fluctuations and natural factors, and they have remained testimony to the authentic Arab and Islamic civilization.
As for the families’ libraries in the UAE, Al Serkal Library in particular, Nasser Bin Ahmed Al Serkal wrote about this library, which contained a number of valuable manuscripts on chemistry, astronomy, navigation and history. Some of these manuscripts have become rare, and they significant information.
With regard to the cultural and charitable role of the pearl traders in the UAE in the 1990s, the researcher, Halima Ali Al Naqbi, used the poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais and Juma Al Majid as models. She concluded that the major pearl traders made great cultural contributions, especially in the first half of the twentieth century, as they hoped that their nation would achieve some of the progress made by other countries which witnessed economic development and prosperity before the Gulf region. With the foundation of the UAE and the revival of the economy and all aspects of life, significant figures emerged in the society, such as the merchant and poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais and Juma Al Majid, who followed the example of pearl traders by spreading education and culture and encouraging scholars and intellectuals.
The journal included, in its new issue, a number of research papers in English, most notably “The Cultural and Charitable Role of Pearl Traders in the UAE in the Ninth Decade of the Twentieth Century: The Poet Sultan bin Ali Al Owais, and Juma Al-Majid as models” in addition to what was written by Dr. Saif Al Bedwawi, Professor of Arabian Gulf’s Modern History at Sharjah University, about “Sir William Luce "Role in the Gulf (1970-1971)”.
In its 28th issue, Liwa contains another paper in English, entitled "Bahrain’s Political Socialization in the Early 1970s” and a review of Pierre Blancard’s book: The Economy of Muscat 1771, A Forgotten Account.
For further information and subscription, you may visit the NLA’s website: www.nla.ae

The National Archives Offers Its Historical Publications To Researchers Via TRENDS Virtual Book Fair

The National Archives participates in the virtual book fair organized by the “Trends Center” under the theme “The Path to Knowledge”. This participation confirms the National Archives’ role of enriching knowledge with documented information of the UAE’s rich history, and strengthening the essential soft power to peoples’ progress and intellectual and cultural renaissance, which fulfills the exhibition organizers’ objectives.

The National Archives’ keenness to display its publications to researchers, academics, students and others prompted it to participate in this virtual book fair, which runs until February 7, as it is an important event held at a time during which precautionary measures such as social distancing and communication through interactive channels are implemented to curb the spread of the novel corona virus.

The books of the National Archives are very popular in all physical and virtual exhibitions and libraries for their national contents that attract writers, researchers and academics interested in the UAE ‘s history and heritage, and its successful and pioneering union experience in the Arab world and the world. The sales of the National Archives' electronic publications have increased significantly in the current period in which preventive measures are applied to confront the Corona pandemic.

The National Archives is keen to make its publications, which deal with the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region, within the reach of researchers and the general public; thus, it made them available in many  bookstores across the UAE and it uses all technical and traditional marketing methods for this purpose. The important titles with which the National Archives participated in the Trends Virtual Book Fair include “Zayed Man Who Built A Nation”, “Khalifa: Journey into the Future”, “Zayed: From Challenges to Union”, “Zayed Awards and Decorations”, “My Journey with Zayed”, “Memorable Speeches of Zayed”, “Qasr Al Hosn”, “Memoirs of the Emirates”, “Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi”, and “The Integrated Archival System”, in addition to  other publications that are of interest to the various segments of the society.

Those who wish to obtain copies of the National Archives’ publications can access them via the following link:

https://www.amazon.ae/s?k=National+Archives+-+Ministry+of+Presidential+Affairs+UAE&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss

It is noteworthy that the publications of the National Archives have topped the sales of the “Amazon” website in the Middle East for the second time, as they were the favorite picks for researchers, scholars because they provide accurate information supported by historical documents about the history and heritage of the UAE and the chronicles of its great leaders.

The National Archives

The National Archives of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs was first established in 1968 upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the aim of collecting documents and information relating to the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. Forty years later, HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, issued Federal Law No. (7) of 2008 changing its name to be the National Center for Documentation and Research (NCDR), and assigning it to organize the archives of the various UAE government entities. In 2014, HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued Federal Law No. (1) of 2014, which changed it

A significant and valuable addition to beneficiaries and a gateway to its services and knowledge treasures
The National Library and Archives launches a modern and advanced website

The National Library and Archives launched the new version of its website to keep pace with its ongoing development. The new website enhances the NLA’s vital role in preserving the memory of the nation, and enables researchers, academics, and beneficiaries to access its pioneering services.
Regarding the new website, His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director General said: “The National Library and Archives found it necessary to update its website within the framework of its continuous endeavors to develop and expand its services and tasks. The new website enables customers to access these services easily, embodies the NLA’s official presence on the Internet. It constitutes a bridge to communicate with beneficiaries over time and a window on the information and electronic services we provide.”
 He added that the NLA is constantly working to shorten the distance between researchers and the memory of the nation, which the NLA collects and preserves according to the latest international standards and facilitate access to it."
His Excellency stressed that the NLA’s tasks and services are constantly evolving and expanding as they include the Center for Preservation and Restoration. The National Library, along with the Archives, will soon be a new beacon beaming with the memory of the nation and its cultural and intellectual heritage. The aim is to give researchers, academics, students and the public access to these historical, heritage and cultural treasures which are useful resources when writing about the UAE’s glorious history, ancient heritage and cultural and intellectual depth.  The new version of the website has been launched to contribute to the realization of the NLA’s mission and vision.
In her speech, Mrs. Salma Al Mansouri, Director of the Support Services Department, pointed out that the new version of the website facilitates the task of the National Library and Archives in providing distinguished archival services. She also indicated that it provides smart services, makes the NLA’s treasures accessible, and facilitates the presentation of various research materials in a modern and advanced technical framework. Mrs. Salma Al Mansouri also praised the technologies used in the new website, which are among the most powerful content management systems supporting the data entry process and its course of action.
While reviewing the details of the website and its services,  Abdulazez Al-Amim, Head of the Information Technology said: “The new version of the website sheds light on the NLA’s latest news and events. It also offers a link to the free portal of Arabian Gulf Digital Archive (AGDA), which has received a distinguished turnout from researchers and those interested in the history of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region because it contains thousands of original historical documents, photographs and multimedia recording important aspects of the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Peninsula. This makes the new website a valuable addition for researchers, academics, and scholars inside the UAE and abroad.
Al Amim pointed out that the new website takes advantage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through Chatbots and dedicated interfaces, which assist researchers, academics, students and the public, as the interface of the website changes to suit each registered user.
The head of the Information Technology Section indicated the interest of new website in people of determination, as many features were added to make it user friendly to them. For example, the Smart Reader feature automatically detects and reads texts in Arabic and English. There are many other features including Zooming in and out,  and turning the screen into the Night Mode.
It is noteworthy that the website www.nla.ae gives access to that of the Emirates Library to review studies, research papers, books and photos. It also allows visitors to request archival materials.  
In line with the mission of the National Library and Archives in providing documented and trusted information, the website provides visitors with abundant and reliable information from the most accurate historical sources. It enables browsers to view the National Library and Archives’ publications, and an E-shop has been added to   sell these printed publications with the option of shipping them as well.  The website also gives access to the topics of the refereed scientific journal Liwa.