Within the framework of the celebrations by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences (HMA) of the 41st National Day, the Award has issued a new book entitled "UAE, Roots and Heritage". The book which is prepared by Dr. Ahmed Al-Hashemi, a member of the Board of Trustees of HMA, deals with the deep-rooted historical civilization of the UAE, which goes back to more than seven thousand years BC.

 

Prof. Najib Al Khaja, Secretary-General, HMA, said that the issuance of the book stems from the Award’s keenness on participating in documenting the history of UAE, in order to deliver a message of “no past, no future” to the new generation, and indicate the importance of recognizing the glories of our grandparents.

 

Dr. Ahmed Al-Hashemi said that the work in the book has taken more than two years, during which he reviewed hundreds of references within UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Countries. Also, he visited the different Emirates of UAE to learn closely about their historical landmarks, and took photographs of their old buildings, valleys, mountains, deserts and coast, many of which have been included in the book.

 

“The book includes 210 pages, and is divided into nine chapters that deal with two main topics that reflect upon the ancient life of this region; the harsh desert life, which is rich with mountains, rocks and plants as well as various species of animals and birds, and the Marine Life including the Arabian Gulf and its importance for our ancestors as an important source of income in pearling, fishing and shipbuilding. Also, an entire chapter in the book is dedicated to Ahmed Bin Majid (1441-1506), the famous Emirati navigator, founder of the scientific basis of maritime navigation in the late Middle Ages, as well as the inventor of a host of navigation machines and tools such as the magnetic needle and others”, said Dr. Al Hashemi.

 

The book also deals with the Emirati poet Al Majidi Bin Dhahir, who lived in the 12th century AH, 330 years ago, and is called the poet of the desert as his poems marked the ancient emirates including its cities and villages, and its social, agricultural and environmental life.

 

The 9th chapter of the book deals with the British presence in the Gulf region before the independence and its repercussions, reaching to the establishment of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971.