FIVE ITEMS FROM THE UAE'S EARLY DAYS
FIVE ITEMS FROM THE
UAE'S EARLY DAYS
The rarities in NYU Abu Dhabi Library’s Archives and Special Collections are unique materials made available to NYUAD students, faculty, and staff, as well as qualified researchers from the UAE and abroad. Over the years the University has collected such difficult-to-obtain primary sources that help tell the story of the UAE and provide insight into the country’s history. Through a wide network of diplomats, locals, and historians, the collection is quickly becoming a unique resource to support, enrich, and augment the research interests of students and faculty. Here is a selection of five items from the collections that provide an unparalleled perspective into the birth and growth of the UAE.
SHEIKH ZAYED BIN SULTAN
Likely to be taken before unification, sometime between 1964 and the early 1970s, these images show Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, the UAE’s founding father who served as President since the nation’s formation until his death, meeting with various constituents. Although a prominent Sheikh at this time with global relations and a growing reputation as a visionary leader, Sheikh Zayed is seen here in touch with his Bedouin roots. Meeting with a variety of people, Sheikh Zayed traveled with his entourage of family members, would-be ministers, and assistants to take note of the desires and challenges of what would become his citizens in the newly formed nation.
ABU DHABI COASTLINE
Another photograph shows the coastline of Abu Dhabi taken from an airplane. The coastline before the rapid urbanization of the capital of the UAE shows the early signs of the coastal town that became the international hub it is today.
ABU DHABI COASTLINE
Another photograph shows the coastline of Abu Dhabi taken from an airplane. The coastline before the rapid urbanization of the capital of the UAE shows the early signs of the coastal town that became the international hub it is today.
UAE’S OFFICIAL GAZETTE
The launch edition of the UAE's Official Gazette, seen here at “Year 1, Edition 1,” served as Emiratis’ first opportunity to own a copy of and learn from their newly formed provisional constitution. Purchasable at local bookstores for 300 fils, the national publication introduced the quarter million or so citizens in 1971 to their rights under the newly-formed nation. The preamble to the constitution, which begins with “We, the Rulers of the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah…,” indicated one of the first declarations to act as one nation. Although the official constitution was not adopted until 25 years later in 1996, the ethos, many of the principles, and the rights of the people were inspired or taken directly from this initial publication. This edition serves as the first public document published as a unified nation, introducing many of the legal institutions that have endured for the last 50 years.
UAE’S OFFICIAL GAZETTE
The launch edition of the UAE's Official Gazette, seen here at “Year 1, Edition 1,” served as Emiratis’ first opportunity to own a copy of and learn from their newly formed provisional constitution. Purchasable at local bookstores for 300 fils, the national publication introduced the quarter million or so citizens in 1971 to their rights under the newly-formed nation. The preamble to the constitution, which begins with “We, the Rulers of the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah…,” indicated one of the first declarations to act as one nation. Although the official constitution was not adopted until 25 years later in 1996, the ethos, many of the principles, and the rights of the people were inspired or taken directly from this initial publication. This edition serves as the first public document published as a unified nation, introducing many of the legal institutions that have endured for the last 50 years.
ABU DHABI CALLING
In most languages, writing is a complement to speech or spoken language. Writing is not a language but a form of technology. Within a language system, writing relies on many of the same structures as speech, such as vocabulary, grammar and semantics, with the added dependency of a system of signs or symbols, usually in the form of a formal alphabet. The result of writing is generally called text, and the recipient of text is called a reader. Motivations for writing include publication, storytelling, correspondence and diary. Writing has been instrumental in keeping history, dissemination of knowledge through the media and the formation of legal systems.
ABU DHABI CALLING
In most languages, writing is a complement to speech or spoken language. Writing is not a language but a form of technology. Within a language system, writing relies on many of the same structures as speech, such as vocabulary, grammar and semantics, with the added dependency of a system of signs or symbols, usually in the form of a formal alphabet. The result of writing is generally called text, and the recipient of text is called a reader. Motivations for writing include publication, storytelling, correspondence and diary. Writing has been instrumental in keeping history, dissemination of knowledge through the media and the formation of legal systems.
TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES
Pick up the phone, dial 41722 and you speak to the late Sheikh Zayed’s majlis. The long-heard myth of Sheikh Zayed being an accessible ruler, only a phone call or a visit away from a meeting, is confirmed in this, one of the first telephone directories of Abu Dhabi. His number was not insider information, in fact it was published and on display. Intended to serve as a way to connect the emerging city, the directory not only contains the numbers of Sheikh Zayed’s court, but also other Sheikhs, Ministers, and more detailed information for businesses and the like. Published in February 1971, the directory details the establishments that were on the ground working to help build the ambitious vision of the founding father just several short months prior to unification. The directory also contains advertisements of companies that helped lay the framework for the nation’s growth.
TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES
Pick up the phone, dial 41722 and you speak to the late Sheikh Zayed’s majlis. The long-heard myth of Sheikh Zayed being an accessible ruler, only a phone call or a visit away from a meeting, is confirmed in this, one of the first telephone directories of Abu Dhabi. His number was not insider information, in fact it was published and on display. Intended to serve as a way to connect the emerging city, the directory not only contains the numbers of Sheikh Zayed’s court, but also other Sheikhs, Ministers, and more detailed information for businesses and the like. Published in February 1971, the directory details the establishments that were on the ground working to help build the ambitious vision of the founding father just several short months prior to unification. The directory also contains advertisements of companies that helped lay the framework for the nation’s growth.
Five Items from the UAE's Early Days / Words: Naser Al Wasmi / Editor: Abigail Kelly / Images courtesy of Frauke Heard Bey and David Heard collection and Graham A. Hill collection.
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