The cultural programme.. a window opened by the National Archives for foreign teachers on Emirati values

The National Archives intends to organize a cultural program on the history and culture of the UAE for foreign teachers in private schools affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Education Council in mid-August. Through it, the National Archives aims to deliver its national message to the various segments of society in order to consolidate the identity of the nation, enhance loyalty to it, and strengthen belonging to it. More than 4,500 male and female teachers participated in the previous sessions of this program.

The National Archives has been organizing this cultural program in English over the past three years, and schools are keen to participate in their educational staff from various foreign curricula: American, French, British, Japanese, Indian, Russian, Pakistani... and others, because of the important results of this program. It is reflected in teachers by introducing them to the characteristics and advantages of Emirati society, its customs and traditions, and the most prominent noble national values of the UAE, which are known for tolerance and coexistence between different nationalities on the homeland, and they attract a large number of expatriates from most countries of the world; This paves the way for foreign teachers to interact and understand with their students. All participants in the previous courses praised this educational program and considered it a gateway from which they could see the culture of the country and the values of its citizens.

The cultural program lecture deals with the law issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State - may God protect him - regarding combating all forms of discrimination and hatred. It is a humanitarian message from the UAE to the whole world, affirming everyone's right to live in safety, security and peace. The law is a true translation of the UAE's approach to equality between people, regardless of their race, religion, or color. This culture was rooted in an early period in the country's life, which presented a unique model of peaceful coexistence between different races and cultures.

In addition to the educational lecture, the program also includes a tour of the National Archives. Participants visit the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Hall to learn about aspects of the history of the Emirates through the historical documents it contains, represented in treaties and correspondence, photographs, historical maps, heritage collections, and documents that monitor the stages of the establishment of the union. The documents of the hall are a model of the treasures of the National Archives. Among the important historical documents, the participants in the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Hall for Virtual Reality will watch a 3D historical documentary film about the past and bright present of the United Arab Emirates, and they will also visit the National Archives Library and its printing press.

This cultural program is characterized by strengthening the bonds of communication between teachers, students, and parents. It works to strengthen the school curricula, develop students' patriotism, and positive interaction in the educational process. It aims to introduce new teachers to aspects of the history and heritage of the UAE and some of its societal characteristics, and reveals the best ways to reach students through the customs and traditions of their fathers and grandfathers and their glorious history.

 It is worth noting that specialized experts in the National Archives are the ones who provide specialized lectures in its cultural program addressed to foreign teachers. The most prominent of these lectures are: "The UAE is a distinguished cultural experience...the happiest people in the world" and "The Emirates...a distinguished cultural experience". ...and others. The first part of the lecture, which comes at the heart of the program, includes important details of Emirati culture supported by examples, evidence, and proofs. The second part includes the opportunity to discuss and respond to all the participants’ inquiries. The National Archives is keen to ensure that this important cultural program coincides with the beginning of the academic year. In order to shorten the distance between new teachers and   The cultural and heritage environment of the country.      

With a documentary exhibition and a speech highlighting the depth of brotherly relations between Egypt and the UAE

On Zayed Humanitarian Work Day, the National Archives participates in the celebrations of the Egyptian Women's Association

From the Emirati-Egyptian brotherly relationship, which reached its climax during the reign of the late founding leader - God willing - Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The exhibition focused on the distinguished Emirati-Egyptian relations, and the role of the leadership of the two brotherly countries in strengthening and preserving them.

This exhibition comes as part of the celebration held by the Egyptian Women's Association, out of love and loyalty to Zayed Giving, on Zayed Day for Humanitarian Action.

During the celebration, Mohamed Ismail Abdallah, a lecturer at the National Archives, delivered a speech in which he valued the initiative of the Egyptian Women's Association on this occasion dear to all. As the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in all fields deserves appreciation and standing in respect and admiration, and he added in his speech: The greatness of men is measured by their achievements, and what they presented to their nation and to humanity in terms of great works and virtues of antiquities, and today we live the twelfth anniversary of the departure of the wise Arab Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - may God rest his soul in peace - we are living a national occasion represented by Zayed Day for Humanitarian Work, and on this occasion we affirm that we are on the path of the humanitarian work of Sheikh Zayed are walking, and God Almighty endowed us with a leadership that bears the banner of the founding leader in the field of charitable and humanitarian work. 

In his speech, the lecturer stressed the importance of the Emirati-Egyptian relations. He reviewed some of the stances through which the leadership of the UAE has demonstrated its firm support for the issues of the brotherly Arab Republic of Egypt.

Mrs. Ifttan Farrag, President of the Egyptian Women's Association, praised the participation of the National Archives and the exhibition it is organizing on this occasion, noting that it opens a historical page documenting the Emirati-Egyptian relations for generations, and for the participants in the ceremony, in order for them to learn about aspects of the history of the distinguished relations between the two brotherly countries, and to the glories of their homelands. And to the ideal model for the relationship between siblings.  

The documentary exhibition, in which the National Archives participated, consisted of historical photographs documenting aspects of the Emirati-Egyptian relations, as well as leaders' meetings  Leaders of the Republic of Egypt, and Egyptian dignitaries.

The National Archives distributes thousands of copies of its publications to official bodies and academic institutions inside and outside the country.

In line with the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State - may God protect him - declaring 2016 the Year of Reading, the National Archives, within the framework of its “A Nation Reads” project, distributed thousands of copies of its national publications to institutions and official bodies inside and outside the country, and to a large number of From public and private libraries, and to a large number of researchers, academics, and those interested in the history and heritage of the UAE; With the aim of disseminating documented information that enhances national knowledge.

Regarding this activity that establishes reading in the community, His Excellency Majid Sultan Al Muhairi, Executive Director of the National Archives, said: The National Archives has provided thousands of copies of its publications, foremost of which are the book (Khalifa: A Journey to the Future), the book (Zayed, A Man Who Built a Nation), and the magazine ( Refereed Scientific Liwa), in both Arabic and English, in response to the "2016... Year of Reading" initiative, with the aim of encouraging reading, disseminating national knowledge, and presenting a true and documented picture of the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region, and of the march of the founding leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. May God rest his soul in peace - and the path of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State - may God protect him - and this comes within the framework of the message of the National Archives, which is keen to provide documented and trustworthy information, and in response to the increasing demand for publications of the National Archives that enhance the cultural field with honest and documented research on The history of the state and its great leaders.

Al-Muhairi stressed that the National Archives is keen to distribute books that are full of documented national information, because of their national and cultural value. At the forefront of these publications is the book (Khalifa... Journey to the Future), which sheds light on a variety of roles played by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him. His Highness had a fundamental role in the transformation witnessed by the state, as it promoted intensive development and development work, and by the nineties of the last century, His Highness began to assume more important national roles, and on the second of November 2004, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan became President of the United Arab Emirates, and he has The first decade of His Highness’s presidency witnessed the brightness of his star as a true modern leader, and he proved that he is fully prepared to face the difficulties, and the United Arab Emirates proved itself for the second time, and God endowed it with a leader who occupied his place among the elite of contemporary leaders of countries.

Al-Muhairi added: The distribution of the National Archives' publications complements many of the activities it carried out to activate the Year of Reading and to establish it as a way of life. Which seriously contributes to the consolidation of the culture of science and knowledge among the people of the Emirates and residents on its land

Al-Muhairi said: Encouraging reading in our world is a challenge, because instilling it in the hearts of the people of society is not an easy matter. It needs to sow conviction in the family in the first place, and then in the hearts of its children, and this will only be with confidence in its results and its impact on the progress of the country and its children, and by overcoming the difficulties in spreading the knowledge and sciences that face reading and by strengthening the role of the family and the environment in instilling a culture of reading and making it a way of life.

It is worth noting that the book (Khalifa… Journey to the Future), of which the National Archives recently distributed a large number, is one of the most recent publications of the National Archives. Across the Arab world and the international arena. It also highlights Sheikh Khalifa's remarkable, captivating and interesting story. Although he is a public figure, this is perhaps the first time that the complete and extended biographical record has been unveiled.

The book was presented by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Archives. In introducing the book, His Highness said: “Throughout my life I had the honor of closely following the unique personality of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa and his distinguished leadership style. And his warmth, and an unyielding will to achieve excellence, which is the title of true leadership.

The Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs, His Excellency Ahmed Juma Al Zaabi, prefaced the book by saying: “I had the honor of working in the service of Sheikh Khalifa over four decades, during which I witnessed his mighty commitment to an ideal principle based on a firm conviction that duty comes before the station of self.

Sheikh Khalifa led his country through a personal local journey in which he demonstrated his experience in effective and dynamic leadership in the most dramatic times in human history in terms of technological, social and economic changes.

Al-Zaabi noted, appreciating the book: “Khalifa: A Journey to the Future.

The book deals with the most important stages in the life of Sheikh Khalifa, and records the march of His Highness - may God protect him - and sheds light on his presidency that has lasted for more than a decade, during which he emerged not only as a statesman on the world stage, but also as a beloved leader and a fatherly figure among his people.

The distribution of the National Archives publications comes within the framework of providing academic and cultural circles and those interested with documented information that deals with national and historical issues that contribute to supporting useful reading that enhances national values among members of society.     

The National Archives participates in the Ramadan councils organized by the Ministry of Interior
 

Within the framework of its cultural season, the National Archives of the United Arab Emirates participates in the Ramadan councils organized by the Ministry of the Interior during the holy month of Ramadan under the slogan (This is what Zayed loves).

In the first phase of these councils, specialized experts and lecturers from the National Archives will discuss the following topics: Sheikh Zayed and the Wataniya School, the Emirati personality, the Emirates symbol of coexistence (tolerance), Emirati happiness, Emirati giving... the state and the individual.

Regarding this participation in the Ramadan councils organized by the Ministry of the Interior, His Excellency Majid Al Muhairi, Executive Director of the National Archives, praised the efforts of the Ministry of Interior in these Ramadan councils and its great societal role. Bearing responsibility, and meeting its goal with the message of the National Archives in promoting the spirit of belonging and national identity. These councils have a great role in promoting the system of positive values derived from the great legacy of the founding leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - may God rest his soul in peace - and his brothers, the founding fathers, and from their exceptional values and traits. The authentic ones, of which we will remain proud throughout time, and the National Archives is keen to include them in the activities of its cultural season; Generations learn from it the meaning of giving, tolerance and patriotism, deepening the positive values and behaviors of the citizen, developing the patriotic spirit and deepening the sense of belonging to the homeland and loyalty to its wise leadership.

His Excellency added: The National Archives’ participation in the Ramadan councils urges that the sincere expression of loyalty and belonging to the homeland be through giving in all national fields, especially in the work field, and by preserving the nation’s gains and the love of its leadership. Here, the role of the National Archives is evident in consolidating national values in the souls, as well as consecrating the concept of national identity.

 It is worth noting that these Ramadan councils are organized by the Ministry of Interior in all emirates of the country.

These lectures enrich the men’s and women’s councils, and the National Archives includes: Research Consultant Dr. Aisha Belkhair, Husnia Al-Ali, Head of the Educational Programs Department, Fatima Al-Mazrouei, Head of the Historical Archives Department, Research Expert Abdul Latif Al-Sayadi, and Researcher and Lecturer Muhammad Ismail Abdullah.

The National Archives obtains the ISO certificate in Business Continuity Management

 The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates obtained the ISO 22301 certificate, which is considered a global standard in the field of business continuity management. Crises, disasters and emergencies.

The National Archives has passed the audits conducted by the British Institute of Standards and Standards (BSI), the leading global body in evaluating management systems and certification solutions, which proved that the National Archives is ready to carry on its work in exceptional circumstances, and it has trained its relevant staff on it.

Regarding this certificate, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al-Rayyes, Director General of the National Archives, said: The National Archives’ obtaining ISO for the Business Continuity Management System reflects its response to the directives of our wise leadership in its interest in ensuring the continuity of the work of the concerned authorities that contribute to the integration of the preparedness and preparedness system. His Excellency indicated that the Archive NBK is keen to achieve the highest standards in providing its services to customers in all circumstances. The business continuity system is an important achievement, and represents another addition to its successes in the context of its interest in the satisfaction of the beneficiaries and customers and the continuation of providing its services without interruption.

His Excellency stressed that the National Archives, while doing its best to provide its services in accordance with best practices, and working to avoid crises, takes into account unexpected crises that may negatively affect its services. Therefore, it makes alternative practical plans in the event of interruption of its services, and Dr. Al-Rayyes revealed that the National Archives has identified potential risks, and determined how to manage and deal with them in the event of their occurrence. Dealing with emergencies.

It is worth noting that the National Archives organized a workshop to introduce the business continuity system in the presence of its employees. The workshop focused on important documents in times of crisis, such as: business continuity teams, plans necessary for business continuity, escalation mechanisms according to the level of danger and crisis, methods of returning to normal order after recovery, plans Evacuation, communication during crises, priority activities, and incident response. The workshop urged attention to the necessary policies, procedures, and forms, as well as the phone numbers of senior management members, department managers, employees and their families. Testing work procedures, documents and tools, and their suitability to deal with different scenarios.    

To view his experience in electronic archiving and correspondence systems

اThe National Archives receives a delegation from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development

The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates received a delegation from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, with the aim of reviewing the activities of the National Archives, its holdings and correspondence systems, and benefiting from its experience in preserving historical documents and archiving them electronically.

The guest delegation praised the holdings of the National Archives, which document important stages of the history and heritage of the UAE, and expressed its desire to cooperate with the National Archives to learn more about the international standards and standards followed in preserving, archiving and electronically preserving historical documents. The National Archives works to preserve the national historical and electronic records. Based on its responsibility towards future generations in electronic systems that are constantly evolving and changing, the guest delegation touched on ways to train employees to use advanced digital systems, and methods of evaluating the authenticity, importance and value of records.

The delegation of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development discussed the modern systems in the National Archives used to document internal and external correspondence, ways to follow them up, sort them according to their shelf life as current, medium or historical documents, archive them, and ways to destroy them after the end of their shelf life.  

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development delegation, consisting of Khawla Al Kindi, Archives Coordinator, and Hamda Al Riyami, Senior Information Security Officer, toured   In the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Hall, which is a unique addition to the national effort represented in preserving the memory of the homeland, and it is a wide window through which the visitor looks at the ancient history of the United Arab Emirates, and on the journey of establishing the union.

The delegation also visited the presidential archive section, which contains photographs and video films documenting the march of the late - God willing - Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the activities of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State - may God protect him - locally, regionally, in the Arab world and internationally. In addition to the historical images of senior figures in society in general, which are considered a valuable heritage that must be preserved and passed on to future generations and made available to researchers and scholars.

On the road to achieving quality and excellence

The National Archives obtains the global asset management certificate

The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates obtained the (ISO 55001) certificate for its asset management system, which came after passing external audits by an international accreditation body. Assets are: physical and informational assets such as devices, equipment and documents at the headquarters of the National Archives, stressing that historical documents and their archives are state assets. .

This international certificate came to add to the National Archives another dimension that qualifies it to be in the ranks of the most advanced and developed international archives, and it is evidence of high quality and advanced technologies. With which he manages his duties in organizing the official archives in the country, and in collecting historical national documents. 

His Excellency Majid Al Muhairi, Executive Director of the National Archives, said: By obtaining this certificate, the National Archives has proven that it works to manage and use assets in accordance with the highest international standards and automatically; As it pays great attention to all its assets in terms of the method of use and the economics of operation, in the belief of those in charge of the work that this concern is a national duty that would ensure the sustainability of the assets; The National Archives is interested in managing assets, whether in their life cycle or in terms of extending their use, especially in the context of managing assets related to storing historical documents that would extend the life of the historical document by preserving it according to advanced international methods.

Al Muhairi added: The National Archives adopts an ideal system of material assets that are based on scientific foundations that support its orientation towards excellence. The National Archives does not hesitate to maintain and develop assets to achieve maximum benefit from them, due to the importance of its role in preserving the memory of the nation, represented by a number of historical documents, multimedia, equipment and devices that display the content. Historical on researchers and beneficiaries of different segments and ages.

Al Muhairi expressed his happiness that the National Archives obtained this international certificate, which comes as a result of its continuous efforts and high performance in preserving all assets. His Excellency thanked all the National Archives employees for their sense of patriotism and their dealing with assets and using them with the utmost precision and care.  

The National Archives lectures on Zayed's Leadership Genius at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Within the framework of its cultural season, the National Archives of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, in cooperation with the Department of Studies and Research at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, organized a national lecture entitled: "Zayed... The Philosophy of Governance and the Genius of Leadership" at the Ministry's General Court in Abu Dhabi. This lecture is one of the lectures that the National Archives enriched its cultural season and national activities, deriving its themes and content from the biography of the founding leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - may God rest his soul - and from his thought, wisdom and philosophy in politics and governance, because of its great impact in enhancing loyalty and belonging to the country.

Research expert at the National Archives Abdul Latif Al-Sayadi focused in his lecture on two important axes, the first: Zayed and his genius in facing the challenges of establishing the Union State, supporting what he concluded with examples of the leader’s skill in settling outstanding border issues with some of the regional neighboring countries, and his discreet political handling of the issue The invasion and occupation of the three Emirati islands by Iran in 1971, and his continuing wisdom in dealing with the issue of regional recognition of his nascent state. As for the second axis, the lecturer dealt with several topics, the most important of which are: Zayed between the presidency and leadership, and Zayed and exceptional leadership, compared to a number of world leaders who lived with him; Based on the historical documents that our national archives abound.

   The lecturer pointed out that Zayed's humanitarian, developmental and political achievements are among the absolute facts that require going beyond the descriptive narration and numerical enumeration of those achievements to re-reading flashes of this great Arab leader's thought and philosophy in building the state and establishing the union, and reviewing the local, regional and international challenges he faced to achieve his dream with political wisdom. Unique, insightful, and an outstanding leadership personality, then investigate the unique exception in his personality as a unitary leader and leader.

 The lecture was filled with many supporting documents and established historical facts, which root the great leadership skills of the founding leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, and how he was able to achieve safe passage for this young country in extremely difficult and complex regional and international circumstances, to take its distinguished political and civil status among nations in a short period of time compared to the ages of nations.

The National Archives organizes an awarding ceremony for the winners of My Archive My Future Award

The UAE’s National Archives organized a ceremony to award the participants and the winners of its national project (My Archive My Future) contests. The project aims at raising awareness among students about the importance of documents, their preservation mechanism and how to create a family archive to be part of the UAE's present and future.

The ceremony was attended by H.E. Majid Sultan Al Mehairi, the Executive Director of the National Archives, and representatives of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and of the education zones in the UAE.

The Executive Director of the National Archives thanked the Ministry of Education and Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) for their ideal and constructive cooperation with the National Archives. He appreciated the students’ creative participations in My Archive My Future Award and the parents’ efforts in supporting their sons and daughters who proved they were aware of the document importance and that their cognition and understanding had sometimes exceeded the project expectations as evidenced by the acquisitions of some of the students’ boxes which reflected the students’ national sense of loyalty and belonging to their nation and wise leadership. This is a matter of pride for the nation’s sons and those who are concerned with the educational process in the UAE.

His Excellency explained the role of the project (My Archive My Future) in bridging the gap between students and their societies as they have conveyed the National Archives’ message to their parents who responded to them and kept their important historical documents in the My Archive My Future boxes. Such documents would enrich the memory of the nation which the National Archives strive to collect and preserve.

He pointed out that the participations of about three hundred students in the contest were assessed and what they presented stimulated pleasure and optimism about a promising future of archiving and documentation for the student generations in the UAE.

A documentary film was displayed in the ceremony including a review of the project stages, starting with its launch on October 11th, 2015, followed by ten training workshops organized for the education zones in the UAE, which acquainted 500 coordinating teachers from 230 schools with the project and the teachers, in their turn, conveyed the idea of the project to one hundred thousand students as they distributed eighty thousands boxes for document preserving among schools across the country, and ending with its assessment stage.

The results of the assessment of Abu Dhabi ADEC schools participation announced Omamah Bint Al Harith School as the winner of the Best Personal Archive Award and the new Al Reyada School as the winner of the Best School Archive Award. The family of the student Abdullah Ahmed Al Boainain was awarded as well. In the Western Region, Qatr Al Nada Secondary School won the Best Personal Archive Award and Al Shabhana Primary and Secondary School won the Best School Archive Award. In Al Ain, Al Zaydia Secondary School was announced as the winner of the Best Personal Archive and the Best School Archive Awards.

As for the assessment of projects submitted by Dubai Education Zone schools, Al Khansa Primary School won the Best Personal Archive Award while Al Ebdaa Model School won the Best School Archive. The family of the student Ghalia Mohammed Al Ketbi was also awarded.

From Sharjah Education Zone, Ishbilia Primary School won the Best Personal Archive Award and Sharjah Model School won the Best School Archive Award. From Ajman Education Zone, Sawda bint Zam'a School won the Best Personal Archive Award, Sumaya Bin Khayat School won the Best Archival Material Award and Mzeira’ School won the Best School Archive. The family of the student Noor Kifah was awarded as well. From Umm Al Quwain Education Zone, Falaj Al Muala School won the Best Personal Archive Award and Al Salma School won the Best School Archive Award. From Ras Al Khaimah Education Zone, Noura Bint Sultan School won the Best Personal Archive Award while Mozoon School won the Best School Archive Award. The family of the student Aisha Mohammed Saeed was also awarded. From Fujairah Education Zone, Masafi School won the Best Personal Archive and Best Archival Material Awards, whereas Al Siji School won the Best School Archive Award.

Photo Caption

H.E. Executive Director awarding one of the contest winners

 

Winners of the My Archive My Future Contest 2016

Abu Dhabi Education Council – Abu Dhabi

#    Category    Winner    School

1    Best Personal Archive    Maria Mohammed Salem    Omamah Bint Al Harith School

2    Best School Archive    The new Al Reyada School   

3    Coordinators Awards    Asem Abara

Mohammed Abdulkhaleq Tantawi

Shamma Al Mahri

Mona Al Ahmed   

4    Teachers Awards    Fakhra Al Mansouri

Thuraya Mohammed Sulaiman

Sultan Sulaiman Samura   

5    Family Awards    Parent of the student Abdullah Ahmed Al Boainain   



Abu Dhabi Education Council –Western Region

#    Category    Winner    School

1    Best Personal Archive    Minnat Allah Hisham    Qatr Al Nada Secondary School

2    Best School Archive    Al Shabhana Primary and Secondary School   

3    Teachers Awards    Azza Zakaria

Rania Mustafa

Ismail Rajab

Mohammed Hasan Shalabi

Younis Mohammed Wanas   

Abu Dhabi Education Council – Al Ain

#    Category    Winner    School

1    Best Personal Archive    Tarfa Rashid Al Kaabi    Al Zaydia Secondary School

2    Best School Archive    Al Zaydia Secondary School   

3    Coordinators Awards    Aisha Al Shuwaihi

Mariam Ali Al Mur

Samia Hamed Mousa   

4    Teachers Awards    Moza Ahmed Manan Al Shamsi

Al Oush Mohammed Salem Al Ketbi   

Dubai Education Zone

#    Category    Winner    School

1    Best Personal Archive    Ghalia Mohammed Salem Al Ketbi    Al Khansa Primary School

2    Best School Archive    Al Ebdaa Model School   

3    Coordinators Awards    Khadija Ahmed Abdulla

Dr. Haya Bin Saifan

Suhaila Ahmed Al Mur   

4    Teachers Awards    Jamila Ahmed Saad

Laila Issa

Fadwa Al Sheriliem

Eman Mustafa Mohammed

Wafa Abu Qudairi

Suad Jasim Darwish   

5    Family Awards    Parent of the student Ghalia Mohammed Salem Al Ketbi   

Sharjah Education Zone

#    Category    Winner    School

1    Best Personal Archive    Ghaya Obaid    Ishbilia Primary School

2    Best School Archive    Sharjah Model School   

3    Coordinators Awards    Noura Mohammed Al Mazroui

AbdullAziz Al Jarah   

4    Teachers Awards    Ghazala Khamis Salem   

Ajman Education Zone

#    Category    Winner    School

1    Best Personal Archive    Alia Abdulla Ahmed Al Rahma    Sawda bint Zam'a School

2    Best Archival Material    Mariam Abdulrahman Al Marzooqi    Sumaya Bint Khayat School

3    Best School Archive    Mzeira’ Primary and Secondary School   

4    Coordinators Awards    Asia Mohammed Al Awadi   

5    Teachers Awards    Amal Khalaf Sultan

Muna Salem Al Badwawi

Moza Khalfan Al Badwawi

Asma Ahmed Al Mandoos   

6    Family Awards    Parent of the student Noor Kifah   

Umm Al Quwain Educational School

#    Category    Winner    School

1    Best Personal Archive    Mariam Mohammed Musabah Al Ghafli    Falaj Al Muala Primary and Secondary School

2    Best School Archive    Al Salma Secondary School   

3    Coordinators Awards    Bushra Khalifa Al Ali   

4    Teachers Awards    Moza Salem Abood   

Ras Al Khaimah Education Zone

#    Category    Winner    School

1    Best Personal Archive    Sheikha Abdulla Rabea Al Mansouri    Noura Bint Sultan Secondary School

2    Best Archival Material    Sheikha Rashid Mohammed, teacher   

3    Best School Archive    Mozoon Primary and Secondary School for Girls   

4    Coordinators Awards    Huda Abdulla Al Ali   

5    Teachers Awards    Aisha Mohammed Saeed

Aisha Mohammed Al Bek

Asem Al Dosuqi

Sheikha Rashid Mohammed   

Fujairah Education Zone

#    Category    Winner    School

1    Best Personal Archive    Maha Obaid Al Mazroui    Masafi Primary and Secondary School

2    Best Archival Material    Fatima Mohammed Ahmed    Masafi Primary and Secondary School

3    Best School Archive    Al Siji Primary and Secondary School for Girls   

4    Coordinators Awards    Mariam Mohammed Abdulla

Saeed Saeed Obaid Al Murshidi

Khalifa Salem Rashid Al Takhlofa

Khalifa Rashid Khamis Obaid   

5    Teachers Awards    Fatima Abdulla Al Hamour

Moza OBaid Mohammed

Kleithm Ibrahim Khamis   

The Certification of the International Standard for Service Excellence awarded to the National Archives

The National Archives of the United Arab of Emirates was awarded the certification of the International Standard for Service Excellence (five star rating) after passing the evaluation stages of this certification, which confirms its commitment to the highest international standards for customer service.

Attaining the highest rating of five stars confirms the attention that the National Archives pays to the status of customers and the Importance of excellent customer service which is in line with the guidance of His Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai.

His Excellency Majid Sultan Al Mehairi, Executive Director of the National Archives, says, “The fact that the National Archives has been awarded the international certification is an acknowledgement of the fine and excellent services provided to customers. We consider this certification as crowning our sincere efforts in serving the public according to the culture of excellence that the National Archives adopts. This commitment to customer service comes within the natural path of the National Archives and its serious commitment to the noble goals, mission and vision sought to be fulfilled in the light of the sound directives by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the National Archives".

Appreciating the National Archives’ historical and heritage acquisitions and rich, well-stocked library

The National Archives Receives an Academic Visit from Mohammed V University – AGDAL

 The UAE’s National Archives received Ph.D students from Mohammed V University – AGDAL in Abu Dhabi. The academic visit aimed at closely acquainting them with the acquisitions of the National Archives and its achievements in the field of preserving the memory of the nation.

The visit comes in the course of educational coordination with educational and academic institutions and of the increasing interest of Arab and global academic institutions in the National Archives. The visit aimed at acquainting academics with the National Archives’ acquisitions of historical and scientific materials, which provide them with resources and references to enhance and support their research. Dr. Hafidi Alaoui, Professor of International Relations and Sharia Research Methodologies, accompanying the Ph.D students, thanked the National Archives for attracting academics and researchers and for providing them access to its available historical and heritage documents.  He expressed his wish to strengthen the relationship between Mohammed V University – AGDAL and the National Archives because of its abundant historical documents of all types and its specialized library that enriches and supports academic research in various academic stages. At the end of the visit, the delegation members appreciated the National Archives’ role in preserving the UAE’s history and heritage and the facilities it provides researchers and academics.

The visiting delegation reviewed the National Archives’ work mechanisms, activities, main publications and its library containing thousands of specialized resources and references, periodicals, and dissertations in soft and hard copies. It also visited the Presidential Archives and reviewed its photographs and video tapes, which document the march of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President's local, regional, Arab and international activities, in addition to the historical photographs of the main public figures, which are considered precious heritage.

The delegation members went on a tour of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan's Hall and viewed the historical documents, rare books, photographs, old maps and other important acquisitions pertaining to the history of the UAE and the Gulf region. They watched a 3-D documentary film on the “The UAE in the Past, Present and Future” in Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Virtual Reality Theatre.

The National Archives celebrates the signing of its latest publication "In the Heart of the Desert."

The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates, launched its latest publication, a book entitled (In the Heart of the Desert) at the signature corner of Abu Dhabi’s International Book Fair 2016, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Abdulla El Reyes, Director General of the National Archives, where the author Michael Quentin Morton signed his book recently published by the National Archives.

For his part, Dr. Abdulla El Reyes presented the audience with a synopsis of the book, clarifying that the history of the U.A.E. especially and that of the Gulf region generally calls for a comprehensive documentation, which is the role of the National Archives of the United Arab Emirates, which maintains a large number of historical documents validating the memory of the nation, and documenting history in detail, and with this gesture the National Archives continues its main role in preserving and documenting the memory of the nation. Dr. El Reyes spoke of the transformation and the quantum leap experienced by the country at the hands of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers the founding fathers. The book demonstrates this and proves it through depicting the reality of life in the past with all its hardships.

Dr. El Reyes added: The book (In the Heart of the Desert) is a documentary The National Archives was so keen on publishing due to its accurate portrayal of the reality of life with its various social, political, and economic aspects before the discovery of oil, not only in the U.A.E. but in all the Arab Gulf States.

The Director General of the National Archives congratulated the author and commended him on his tremendous and fruitful effort and on his book which is rich with its information, documents, and historical photos that will in turn enrich the memory of the nation and serve as a great cultural asset for future generations.

Throughout The Heart of the Desert

The book "In the Heart of the Desert," recently published by the National Archives begins with the events of February 1954, when the ships of the Iraq Petroleum Company docked at the harbor.  At that time, the Arabian Peninsula had been of little interest to geologists and remained so until the twenties of the last century.  The first oil discovery was in the Bahraini island of "Awali" in 1932.

The author's father began his expedition across the Middle East in 1945.  He worked with geologists, surveyors, and political liaison officers and enjoyed support from the Iraq Petroleum Company.  After a quarter of a century, Mike continued his father’s journey when he visited the far northern tip of the Arabian Peninsula in his capacity as Commander of the Royal Geographical Society Mission to Musandam peninsula.

In April 1970, Mike Morton arrived at "Ras Duqm" coming from Aden, and this is where the book highlights the great challenge facing geological explorations and reveals the desert's ability to capture the hearts of travelers and to attract them to come back again.

The book consists of various chapters the first of which is entitled: "Baba Karkar" in which Mike writes his wife Heather a letter describing the desert and the charm of the prairie during night and day. He also talks about the phenomenon of the presence of gas in "Baba Karkar," evidently the name "Baba Karkar" means "Father of underground rumbling". The place was known for its flaming gases shooting from the earth formations' cracks. These torches that blazed and glowed at night, were among the factors that attracted tourists to Kirkuk.

Initially it was the strategic and commercial interests and not oil that attracted the British towards Iraq when the India Company established a factory in the Port of Basra in 1763. In the twentieth century, the growing need to find oil drove the British interests in the region.  The book describes moment by moment the flow of oil in the “Baba Karkar" region and the tremendous confidence that this left in the hearts of workers, the oil company and its management.

In the Second chapter, titled: "Cold Wind Blows", the author expresses his longing to his native country in Headers Field City famous for its textile industry. Then he recounts a summary of his life, his education, the family he grew up in, his interest in geology, and the jobs he held in the Middle East. Chapter Three “The Holy City" focused on the landmarks of Michael Morton in Palestine and Transjordan. In this chapter, the author draws a clear and detailed portrait of the city of Haifa in Palestine, and the work atmosphere in Transjordan with its ironies and exciting stories that described the course of their lives as they worked in Transjordan under very harsh circumstances.

In the Fourth Chapter, he goes on to describe life among the Bedouins whom he came to know as never changing, and possess the greatness of people who have lived long in the desert. Habits and traditions are the pillars of their lives, their strength derived from their religion, their strong will enables them to cope in their harsh environment, this accords them nobility and earns them respect. Mike collected fossils during his journey in Palestine and Transjordan. He is certain that the division of the desert into countries has greatly affected the Bedouins' life.  In the Fifth Chapter, the author moves to Hadramout and to East Aden Protectorate, where he met Wilfred Thesiger, who was exploring the Arabian Peninsula, then they met a number of Bedouins in Dhofar who accompanied the great traveler as he crossed the Empty Quarter Desert.

The author describes the conditions and nature of Yemen at that time, the flight that took him to Al Makala, and from there to Bombay. He also describes Al Makala’s white buildings, the Palace of Sultan Al Qu'aiti built on the beach, which is the most beautiful building in Al Makala.

Mike goes on to describe the movements of the oil company’s team between the villages and cities of Yemen, and their visit to the tomb of the Prophet Hood then their return to Say’oon, and the warm welcome and generous hospitality they were received with. The Sixth Chapter entitled "Land of Sun and Fire," began by talking about the persons whom Mike accompanied, who were characterized by their boldness and love of adventure. He indicated that the mission passed through Al Muhra, a group of unattached mountains that end at the Arabian Sea.  Mike also describes preparing the caravan of camels that travelled through Al Muhra, and how conditions changed upon crossing Al Muhra borders.  Mike does not stops describing in detail his journey in Yemen, its misfortunes, surprises, happy moments, incidents and situations.

In "Dhofar, ... The Land Protected by God” as the Seventh Chapter is entitled, the author refers to the attention given by oil companies to Dhofar after a long abandonment, and the Sultan's keenness to promote the search for oil in Dhofar.

Mike paid tribute to the blessed land of Dhofar, rich in milk and honey. It was a summer resort for the Sultan with its beautiful weather, in his white castle with its red windows amidst a coconut palm grove.  In Dhofar, the oil company’s mission met Sultan Said bin Taymur, thereafter, the mission’s team prepared to depart as they noted the lack of oil discovery opportunities which is probably non-existent in Dhofar.  In the Eighth Chapter, Mike travels to the Syrian city of Aleppo, where he lived a completely different life than that experienced before; as he enjoyed a social life.

From Aleppo, Mike moves in Chapter Nine to Qatar and Oman, back to the desert, where each tribe’s affairs rely and depend on the personality of its Sheikh.

From Qatar he traveled to Oman then to Buraimi, which was rumored to float on a sea of oil. A quantum leap took place in the mission’s saga with the arrival of a new liaison officer, Edward Henderson, who established good relations with the tribes and particularly with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who lived in Abu Dhabi. Henderson made good efforts to politically pave the road for the oil companies' operations in the region.

The Tenth Chapter takes place in West Hadramout.  In this region, the mission goes on the road of St. John Phillipe, who headed to Shabwa, and was an adviser to the Saudi monarch.  In this chapter as in other chapters, Mike focused on the political aspects and the relations between tribes.

In his wife Heather’s first trip to the Middle East, Mike paints a clear picture of the tribes and of details of his life with them.

Mike appears as a savvy, well experienced expert in Chapter Twelve, he became the head of the geological team at Limited Oil Concessions Co. (Aden Protectorate). He was entrusted to go on a mission to north Hadramaut, and to Thamoud camp, where the water was scarce in the dreary desert and conserving it was a must.

In Chapter Thirteen, the author goes back to Oman; as the Iraq Petroleum Company was determined to explore the Omani interior in Duqm camp and Jadet Al Harasees. The book continues in Chapter Fifteen the exploration journey of Oman, only to return in Chapter Sixteen to Buraimi. And with resuming oil exploration, the book returns to the Buraimi question, and from Buraimi to Jadet Al Harasees, then to the Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman. In Chapter Seventeen, the author precisely describes the political map of Oman which is divided between the Sultan, the Imam and some of the powers supporting one or the other.

In the Eighteenth Chapter, the author recollects his car trips to Dubai, and pays tribute to the ethics of the desert Arabs who help the needy. He points out that Abu Dhabi was the brightest star and most optimistic and promising potential in discovering oil in its territory after the(Murban) field oil discovery.

Chapter Nineteen follows the oil exploration activity in Musandam Peninsula.  The remaining chapters of the book are loaded with memories of the nature, treatment methods, foods, and the slow paced changes in life in the countries where companies were exploring oil.

The book recounted the memories of the author (In the Heart of the Desert) and the reality of life in the past with a very large number of photos supporting the information in the book.

The book: In the Heart of the Desert.

Publisher: The National Archives, Abu Dhabi, 2016, first edition, 425 pages.