Emirates Library presents books that document the history of Sheikh Zayed and the development of the UAE

The National Archives offers its latest documented Publications to the Visitors of “Zayed Heritage Festival”



The National Archives allocates a special corner of the Emirates Library at the “Memory of the Nation” pavilion, with which it participates in Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival for the second consecutive year. The objective is to provide the festival’s visitors access to the National Archives’ recent publications, especially that the National Archives issued a number of books, In 2018 “The Year of Zayed”, which shed-light on important chapters of the UAE history. Visitors can also find books that document many aspects of the UAE eventful history with all the achievements of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The books displayed at the Emirates Library corner in the “Memory of the Nation” pavilion show with their documented contents and complement with their valuable information the publications presented at the stand. They depict important chapters of the UAE history, supported by pictures, maps, documents and statistics. This is generally the reason for the distinguished public turnout the pavilion received from both the “Memory of the Nation” and Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival visitors who were anxious to buy the National Archives publications to acquaint themselves with their documented information reflecting the journey the homeland has undergone and the biographies of its great leaders who were able to develop the UAE and its people to be among the most advanced and sophisticated countries of the world.

This year, the Emirates Library corner at the “Memory of the Nation” pavilion presents the National Archives' publications, recounting the golden memories and Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's visions for the future since he assumed the reins of power in Abu Dhabi. The library corner provides the festival's visitors the opportunity to buy the latest publications with which the National Archives enriched the cultural circles in the year of Zayed and in the previous years.

Among the recent publications located at the fore-front of the Emirates Library corner shelves one finds:

The book “A Soldier in Arabia”; an autobiography of its author David Neild, in which he recounts the stages of his career and provides accurate details of his memories during his work in the Trucial Oman Scouts, of the events that took place in the region, his  observations and personal impressions about people and places, his work in Ras Al Khaimah Mobile Defence Force, which he had set up, supervised and took command of. It also gives an account of the relationship he had with Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed AI Qasimi, his leaving the Trucial States, and his return to the Emirate of Sharjah to supervise the formation of its National Guard, and finally his quitting the military career for commercial business in South Africa.

The book is considered an important chapter in the UAE pre-Union history, combining empathy and objective aspects. The book closely reveals the facts about issues and events to which the author was an eyewitness at the time.

The book: “A Fateful Intrusion” in which the author Michael Quentin Morton describes the British India Steam Navigation Company operations and trade in the Arabian Gulf over a period of 120 years, how it contributed to the development of the region, and how the Arabs long ago had been aware of the monsoon phenomenon and took advantage of it in their seafaring. Then how the system was replaced by the new steam engine vessels that were operated according to time-schedules rather than wind and high and low tides.

The book: “Keepers of the Golden Shore”, in which the author Michael Quentin Morton looks beyond the glossy façades, tracing the emergence of tribal ties in a land of deep-rooted history to today's affluent society. Thus, shedding new and revealing light on the interesting and creative people of the United Arab Emirates capable of adapting to all circumstances.

The Emirates Library corner at the “Memory of the Nation” pavilion showcases a collection of books that monitor the birth of the United Arab Emirates through the establishment of its auspicious union, and the books that document the wise leadership's efforts and include documents of various conferences and activities in the UAE, among these books: “Zayed from Challenges to Union”, which chronicles a bright stage of the UAE history. This book depicts how the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan struggled to build a modern state with such an advanced status among the countries of the world. The book: “Zayed, Man Who Built A Nation”, which is considered one of the most important books that chronicle the establishment of the UAE, and the biography of its founding leader and builder of its renaissance. The book: “Fifty Years in Al Ain Oasis” which documents the beginnings of the agricultural development in Al Ain, date palms planting in all the Gulf region and highlights  the efforts of Sheikh Zayed and his genius in the field of agriculture.

The Emirates Library corner also presents to its visitors the book: “Zayed and Excellence”, which is an exceptional overview of the humanitarian and international aspect of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan's personality through the model of excellence. The book: “Zayed, the Desert Man and Civilization builder”, gives an account of Zayed's upbringing in the dwellings of Liwa, Al-Dhafra and Al Khatam during the early stages of his life, where he learnt the principles of the Holy Quran, memorized poetry and literature. He listened to the desert Bedouins accounts on the desert and became aware of its history. The book: “Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Ruler of Al Ain 1946-1966”, sheds light on some of Zayed's achievements and virtues and on an important stage of his parental leadership and his determination to establish a modern state for his people to enjoy its affluence that came as a result of his blessed work and efforts. The book: “Zayed and Heritage”, dealing with the interrelationships between heritage and political leadership represented by the founding leader Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The studies and research papers on the UAE deal indirectly or partially with the personality of Sheikh Zayed, his benevolence, magnanimity, and achievements, his noble qualities, values and principles, which the National Archives strives to instill in the hearts and minds of generations to promote good citizenship and promote constructive and fruitful work for the best interest of the homeland.

The most important of the books uncovering Zayed's School of thought and its impact on the wise leaders who followed his footsteps are those books that document the efforts of the wise leaders, most notably of which are the Sheikhs’ Chronicles, namely: “The Chronicles of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan”, “The Chronicles of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum”, “The Chronicles of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan”, and “The Chronicles of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Among the books that emphasize that Zayed values, ideals and noble qualities are everlasting, is the book: “Khalifa A Journey into the Future”, which documents the success of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, who inherited his father's noble traditions, values and ideals and followed his footsteps which enabled him to lead the UAE in such a crucial period of history.

Many of the National Archives' publications in the Emirates Library corner at the “Memory of the Nation” pavilion address aspects of the founding leader's personality, or his values and principles. Among them are: “Emiratis All Our Yesterdays”, “Memoirs of the Emirates” and “Abu Dhabi,  Observations of the Egyptian Dar Al Hilal Mission to Abu Dhabi before the Union” and others.

The Library corner also offers visitors the opportunity to buy the book: “Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi” which highlights an important chapter of the UAE modem cultural history. In 1971, the founding leader Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan cordially invited the Arab singer Umm Kulthum and she gratefully accepted that kind invitation. The book documents the details of that visit through words and photos. The Writer Mohammed Al Murr supervised the preparation of this book.

This year the Emirates Library corner at the “Memory of the Nation” at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival offers a number of important documentary publications, such as: “Unravelling the Unknown in the Biography of Sheikh Tahnoon”, “Electrical Services in the Trucial States”, “Development of Education in the UAE”, “Castles and Towers in Al Dhafra Region”, “An Account of the Countries Bordering on the Indian Ocean and Their Inhabitants”, in addition to “Liwa” journal, which is a biannual refereed journal published by the National Archives in both Arabic and English languages and is increasingly in demand. Its contents reflect the history of the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Gulf region. It aims at contributing to achieving the National Archives' mission of creating historical awareness and promoting the national identity.