The National Archives has Completed Preparations for its Participation in “Sharjah Book Fair” where it Launched 3 New Publications and shed light on its Services to the Book Fair Visitors 

The National Archives has completed preparations for its participation in the 39th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, held this year under the theme “The world reads from Sharjah” from 4 to 14 November. The National Archives has taken all necessary precautionary and preventive measures at its pavilion to ensures the safety of its visitors and participants. The National Archives praised the Sharjah International Book Fair for facing the challenge and maintaining its regular cultural events

The Sharjah International Book Fair is a major cultural beacon, through which visitors, participants, scholars and those interested in the UAE history and culture are introduced to the National Archives and the great role it plays in providing its integrated research and knowledge services including its latest specialized publications.

The participation of the National Archives is not limited to displaying its publications in the fair, but opens up documented chapters of the UAE history to the fair visitors from all over the world through large screens displaying important video recordings of the meetings of the founding leader, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan with His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Federal Council, Ruler of Sharjah.

The National Archives also presents its most important and prominent services through documentary films providing the Fair visitors with comprehensive information on the upcoming global archival event; i.e. the ICA Congress (from 17 to 22 October 2021), under the theme “Empowering Knowledge Communities”, which agenda includes various topics, namely: artificial intelligence, sustainable knowledge as a basis for sustainable development and confronting challenges in archives preservation field through social media.

The National Archives also provides the public with an important historical resource, namely: the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive portal constituting a main source of original and authentic documents on the Arabian Gulf as it offers users thousands of documents and hundreds of historical photos, as well as “multimedia” i.e. audio and video recordings of great historical and cultural value that cover the rich history of all the GCC states. It offers easy access to this digital resource to researchers, scholars, specialists and the public free of charge.

The National Archives launched three new publications on UAE history at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2020. The first of these publications is: the (Diary of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak), which comes in five volumes and highlights the interest of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak. (Mother of the Emirates), Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, GWU, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, in the social, economic, media, political and sports fields. It presents her support for Emirati women's achievements in various fields.

The second publication is the book: (Zayed, From Challenges to Union) which the National Archives presents in Braille version to visually impaired people to satisfy their needs for useful reading that contributes to their sound civic education and enhances their national values.

This comes within the framework of the social and humanitarian responsibility that the National Archives undertakes towards this segment in particular among all the other segments of the UAE society, enhancing their sense of loyalty and belonging to their homeland and their wise leadership. The book shows the efforts the Founding Leader, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan exerted for the Development and progress of the Emirates and towards the establishment of its prosperous union.

The third publication is: (Glossary of Place and Location Names in the UAE Geography and History), which constitutes a historical and geographical index of places and geographical locations in the UAE such as cities, villages, plains, mountains, islands, pearl banks, towns, districts, mosques, ancient houses, wells, dams, ports and creeks ... etc.

This glossary is geographically and historically comprehensive as it adds a historical depth to these places and locations and explains some of the terms and expressions that the UAE people use in their naming of places, locations and sites.

In line with the UAE’s Policy Promoting the Culture of

Creativity and Innovation

The National Archives Opens Ways for Creative Thinking and Innovative Leadership in a Training Workshop

The National Archives organized a training and educational workshop entitled: ‘Creative Thinking Keys and Skills’, in which it emphasized that the United Arab Emirates, under its wise leadership, considers creativity and innovation a national duty and culture as well as a life-system for community members. UAE has made innovation an integral national component of the UAE Vision 2021. The workshop highlighted the National Archives’ great interest in creativity and innovation and its keenness to encourage its staff members to adopt creative initiatives.

The workshop - which was delivered by Dr. Husniya Al Ali, Head of Educational Programs Section at the National Archives- focused on the most prominent upcoming global archival event, namely, the International Council on Archives Congress (ICA Congress Abu Dhabi 2020), the hosting of which was assigned to the UAE National Archives, as an innovative institutional model that surpassed all challenges. The ICA Congress was postponed to 2021 in line with the current necessary precautionary measures to counter and contain Covid-19 worldwide. Dr. Husniya explained that creativity and innovation are evident in all stages of this great archival event, starting with awarding the UAE the hosting of the next ICA Congress and its receiving archival leaders from various parts of the world, its preparations for the launching ceremony for this major event, developing and setting its theme: “Empowering Knowledge Societies”, selecting “Al Sadu” as its official symbol for its significance in Emirati culture and heritage, and eventually ending with setting the conference agenda which is characterized by global openness to all archives’ issues including: artificial intelligence and sustainable knowledge as a basis for sustainable development and confronting archives preservation challenges through social media.

The virtual workshop, that was delivered via Microsoft Teams, drew examples of creativity and innovation from the biography and achievements of the Founding Leader Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan who managed, since he made his mark with his creative thinking upon assuming the post of the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region, to develop Al Ain and transform it to an oasis and a well-developed city at that time. The workshop was inspired by the UAE wise leadership's key quotes and directives which consider creativity and innovation a necessity rather than a luxury and a pursuit with no end or limit. The workshop linked creativity and innovation skills with the National Archives various initiatives, projects and activities which demonstrate its provision of the ideal environment and needed tools to promote creativity.

It is noteworthy that the workshop, briefed the National Archives’ staff members who attended it on creative thinking and skills, represented in: ‘analytical thinking, openness, problem-solving and organization’. Then it tackled both types of creative thinking: the practical (i.e. skills) and the theoretical type (i.e. ideas), and later creative thinking skills development and promotion methods, stages and application. The lecture also focused on creative thinking obstacles represented in: the lack of guidance, self-confidence, efficient leadership, as well as the domination of past experience among others. Afterwards the lecture introduced ways to overcome these obstacles and introduced, within the creative thinking development tools, the six thinking hats: ‘the white, red, black, yellow, green and blue’.

The workshop then turned to defining innovation and enhancing its culture by appointing innovative leaders in institutions, taking great interest in the identity and culture of an institution, employing innovations to serve institutional values, establishing an innovation stimulating and encouraging environment, technical and administrative work systems, and innovative laboratories. The workshop tackled also practicing innovative institutional culture and innovative thinking stimulants and gave examples of innovative questions and their objectives.

The workshop identified the most important creative skills and systems, leadership attitudes and behaviors that encourage and promote adopting creative and innovative thinking methods and enhance creative abilities to reach creative ideas. The workshop stressed the importance of creativity and innovation culture and its application in any work field.

Scaling up its national initiative "Your Book is Your Companion"

The National Archives distributes its publications to famous coffee shops in the UAE

The National Archives' initiative "Your Book is Your Companion" to distribute its national publications to coffee-shops in the UAE was very well received by the coffee-shops owners and customers. This national initiative comes within the framework of fulfilling the National Archives’ social and community responsibility and its objectives of instilling and promoting national culture and values of loyalty and belonging to the homeland and its wise leadership. The National Archives undertook to expand the scope of its initiative and managed to bring up the number of coffee-shops, to which it presented its publications, to a total of twenty-one. This step came in prompt response to letters and suggestions received from coffee-shops requesting the National Archives to provide them with its publications renowned for their scientific importance and cultural value, as they offer readers accurate information on the UAE history, heritage, culture and civilization derived from the National Archives’ valuable holdings of various historical records and documents.

The distribution of the National Archives publications to a large number of coffee-shops comes in line with its belief in the importance of promoting reading at all times as a means of disseminating knowledge and raising awareness of members of the society whose role in building the nation is substantial. Since the National Archives considers this a part of its national duty, it took the lead to provide customers of coffee shops with documented notional information on the UAE’s history and its leaders’ biographies.

The most important national publications of the National Archives distributed to famous coffee-shops in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Khor Fakkan, and Ras Al Khaimah are: (Zayed from Challenges to Union), (Zayed Man Who Built a Nation), (Zayed and Heritage), (Zayed and Excellence), (Khalifa Journey into the Future), (Thus Spoke Fatima Bint Mubarak), (Qasr Al Hosn, the History of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi) and (Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi).  

Participating in two specialized virtual seminar

The National Archives celebrates the Arab Document Day and highlights its role in preserving the memory of the nation

On the occasion of the Arab Document Day, the National Archives participated in two virtual seminars. The first seminar entitled “Emirati Experiences in Document and Archive Management” is organized by Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage, and the second seminar entitled “The Role of UAE’s Document Centers in Preserving the Memory of the Nation” is organized by Zayed Center for Studies and Research in the Emirates Heritage Club. The National Archives’ participations confirm its national role in preserving the documentary heritage of the United Arab Emirates, as one of the leading documentation institutions promoting the UAE history.

In the first seminar, Hassan Al-Mesaabi, the Technical Expert at the National Archives, underlined the importance of the Arab document as a means to preserve historical facts providing evidence of the people’s characteristic civilization. He shed light on the role of the National Archives in collecting, classifying, indexing, archiving and preserving historical documents on the United Arab Emirates for future generations, as well as making them accessible to researchers. He also reviewed the National Archives’ mission, vision, strategic objectives, national duties, and its inception and development. In addition, he pointed out its role in organizing government archives, legal and standard references, the historical archives it preserves, the methods of photographs and films conservation and its smart applications.

He concluded by giving a detailed explanation of the AGDA digital archive and invited participants to the Congress of the International Council on Archives - Abu Dhabi, the most prominent upcoming global archival event, which will be hosted by the National Archives of the UAE.  The ICA Congress will take place on October 2021 under the slogan (Empowering Knowledge Societies), and the conference agenda includes important topics, namely artificial intelligence, sustainable knowledge as basis for sustainable development, and facing challenges in preserving archives through social media.

On the other hand, the National Archives collaborated with Zayed Center for Studies and Research of the Emirates Heritage Club and held another virtual seminar entitled “The Role of the UAE’s Document Centers in Preserving the Memory of the Nation,” delivered by Hassan Al-Mesaabi, Technical Expert. He stressed the importance of celebrating the Arab Document Day to raise awareness about the importance of documents. He also briefed participants on new projects highlighting the new professional Bachelor program in Records Management and Archival Science, introduced last year in collaboration with the Sorbonne University - Abu Dhabi. He pointed out that this Bachelor's degree program meets the current requirements of the labor market in light of the increasing interest of all the UAE’s official entities and institutions in documents and archives. Furthermore, the National Archives has collaborated with the Sorbonne University-Abu Dhabi in launching a professional certificate which develops professional expertise in the management and conservation of electronic and historic archives as well as current and intermediate documents and records.

Besides, he shed light on the National Archives Smart Applications including Sheikh Zayed Audio Library, the Al Nahyan Family Tree, the Chronicles of the Sheikhs, the (Watani Al Emarat) book, and other publications.

He also referred to the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive (AGDA), which is a digital resource offering unprecedented access to researchers, scholars, academics, specialists and the public to thousands of documents of great historical and cultural value relating to the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Mr. Al Mesaabi highlighted the National Archives’ invitation already posted on its portal for researchers to participate and submit their research works on the history and heritage of the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula to the National Archives for publication along with its national publications, which offer invaluable authentic and documented historical information.

The National Archives Gives an Awareness Course to Government Entities on the Importance of Archives Transfer

The National Archives organized an online training course entitled “Archives Transfer from Government Entities” which witnessed the participation of a large number of employees from both the federal and local government entities in the UAE. The course is part of the National Archives’ endeavor to impart knowledge about the transfer process of archives and files which ceased to be of immediate use at the creating entity to the National Archives as per Federal Law No. 7 of 2008 concerning the National Archives, its amending laws and by-laws. The course aims at enhancing the National Archives’ efforts in training the archival cadres in the UAE’s government entities and refining their skills.

The virtual training course delivered by Mr. Mohammad Ahmed Al Bishir, Senior Archives Specialist at the National Archives, focused on defining the archives life cycle in government entities and the archives transfer process, highlighting the importance in reducing the volume of inactive archives in the government entities’ offices and controlling the transfer process and the administrative responsibility in preserving documents. The course also explained the criteria for transferring the historical archives, the requirements for the archives transfer in a government entity and the basics of filling in the file transfer schedule and the transfer register.

It is noteworthy that while engaging in organizing the government entities’ archives, the National Archives pays great attention to the sustainability in preserving the historical heritage of the UAE in view of the around-the-clock development it witnesses. The National Archives achieves this by collecting historical documents, educating government employees about the importance of forming and preserving the national asset of archives in accordance with the modern scientific basis.

In celebration of the International Translation Day

The National Archives Organizes a Lecture on Translation and Cultural Movement in the Post-globalization Era



The National Archives has organized a virtual lecture entitled “Translation and Cultural Movement in the Post-globalization Era”. It reviewed the translation history, the translation in the Arab World and some significant statistics in UNESCO reports. It also praised some Emirati institutions, such as the National Archives, Kalima and Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, for encouraging translation.

The lecture was delivered in celebration of the International Translation Day and to inform the National Archives’ staff about the translation history, significance and role in the dialogue among cultures and civilizations. It also drew attention to the National Archives’ role in translating the UAE’s history, which is a source of pride, and introducing the UAE achievements, particularly the foundation of the Union as an inspiring model to nations.

In addition, the lecture reviewed the main publications the National Archives translated, namely Zayed, From Challenges to Union, Zayed, Man Who Built a Nation, Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Ruler of Al Ain (1946-1966), and other documented national books and historical documents and lectures, with which the NA enriches cultural circles.

The lectures also shed light on the periodical report issued by UNESCO, pointing out that the total translations by Arabs since the time of the Abbasid Caliph Al Ma’mun until present do not amount to Spain’s annual translations. However, the lecturer indicated that such statistics are biased since one book might be translated with different titles by several publishers in many Arab capitals, due to lack of coordination.

Furthermore, the lecture stressed the importance of enhancing translation to keep bridges between east and west to inform Arabs about the other, present positive image of them, receive the digital revolution inventions and engage the world in the dialogue of cultures and civilizations.

The lecture also pointed out that translation is a culture, and the translator is the intellect who polishes the source text by adding the human sense and place specificity in contrast to literal machine translation which continues to fall short of rendering the texts with all its details.

The lecture, attended by the NA’s employees, tackled the dynamics of translation and cultural movement, translation and intermingling of civilizations and translation in the post-colonial period in addition to other milestones in the history of translation.

The Book “Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi”, Attracts Readers

at Amazon Website

The National Archives’ Publications Topped the Sales of “Amazon” Website in the Middle East for the Second Time

The National Archives’ books were best-sellers on Amazon, in terms of sales in the Middle East, for the second time in less than three months as the book “Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi” ranked first on the list of bestsellers as readers were interested in buying it online. Seeking enjoyment and benefit, reading enthusiasts were attracted to the book because it contains accurate documented information that sheds light on aspects of the rich and glorious history of the UAE.

The list of the 50 bestseller books that are of interest to the readers included other National Archives’ publications which are rich in their national content documenting the heritage and cultural achievements of the UAE and its transformation from the “Trucial States” to the “United Arab Emirates”.

The demand for the book “Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi” is attributed to the efforts made by its author, H. E. Mohammed Al Murr, Vice Chairman of the National Archives, in documenting some aspects of the founding leader Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s march and his role in promoting culture. H.E.  shed light on important milestones of the UAE’s history and modern cultural history.  In 1971, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan invited the Arab Singer Umm Kulthum to participate in the celebrations that were held at the end of November 1971 marking his 5th Accession Day Anniversary and the establishment of the United Arab Emirates. The Arab Singer gratefully accepted the kind invitation and was welcomed as a distinguished guest. She held two concerts where she performed her latest songs. She also visited Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan at Al Manhal Palace, where she was well received and honored by him. The book “Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi” documents that important artistic and cultural event and presents a gallery of beautiful pictures of that visit.

Given the importance of the book “Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi” in terms of content and style, a special book signing ceremony was held at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and another signing ceremony was held at the Cultural & Scientific Association in Dubai.

The book “Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi” is among dozens of books published by the National Archives that aim at documenting aspects of the march of the Founding Leader Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. These publications have won the admiration of researchers, scholars and specialists in the history and heritage of the Arabian Peninsula in general and the UAE in particular. Thus, the book “Qasr Al Hosn: The History of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi 1793-1966” hit the top spot of bestsellers on Amazon about three months ago.

 At this stage during which precautionary measures are imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19 virus and online book sales witness a surge, the National Archives’ publications have attracted the attention of interested writers, researchers and academics in the UAE’s  history, heritage and civilization on the global website “Amazon” and the other websites such as “Noon.com”, “Neelwafurat.com” and others.

Since there is a  high demand for the National Archives’ publications which document important aspects of the memory of the nation in various fields, they are sold at the international book fairs held across the UAE, such as Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, and Sharjah International Book Fair. They also sell off of famous bookstores shelves such as All Prints, Jarir Bookstore, Books Kinokuniya, Al Ain Library, Arif Books Distribution, WHSmith, Borders, Jashanmal Bookstore. Additionally, to give access to its publications, the National Archives has launched a book shop at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

Furthermore, readers can access many of the National Archives’ publications on smartphones and tablets via its app which is available on both the Google and Apple app stores.

In line with the vision of the UAE Government to achieve the highest customer happiness level

The National Archives held the 2nd Customer Happiness Forum and reviewed its main services

In line with the vision of our wise government,  the National Archives held its 2nd Customer Happiness Forum, under the slogan “Your communication leads to our Excellence”. It aims to envision the future of services provided to achieve the highest level of customer happiness.  This forum was conducted virtually to meet the precautionary measures applied currently and to implement the directives of our wise leadership whose main concern is people’s health and wellness.

Mr. Farhan Al Marzouqi, Director of the Corporate and Community Outreach Department, opened the forum and delivered a speech emphasizing that this Forum comes in line with the vision of our wise government to gain an insight into the future of services provided to achieve the highest level of customer happiness since the National Archives takes great interest in its customers and follows the government's approach to shift to smart services via digital media.

He added that while the National Archives performs its great national role in providing its services to its valued customers, it also adheres to the highest international standards, fulfills customers’ requests efficiently by streamlining the procedures, and makes their experience with the National Archives  full of joy and happiness.

Mr. Farhan Al Marzouqi also expressed great optimism about this Forum and the resulting recommendations, exchange of experience, and knowledge enhancement. He  stressed that the National Archives draws from participants' opinions and ideas possible ways to improve its performance in providing and developing its services, since the NA has set in motion the culture of customer happiness which it practices, commits to and targets successfully.  

The Forum, which saw the participation of a large number of the National Archives' researchers and interested customers, began by introducing the National Archives’ services, tasks and national role in line with its vision, mission and objectives. It also reviewed the main projects accomplished during the period  of 2017 - 2020.  It  shed light on the latest developments in terms of building a modern national archival system, developing the NA’s holdings, enhancing accessibility, providing research and knowledge services, enhancing corporate and community outreach, and providing a distinctive and exceptional work environment.


The 2nd Customer Happiness Forum reviewed, in detail, the various services provided by each of the National Archives Departments, namely the Archives Department, the Corporate and Community Outreach Department, and the Research and Knowledge Services Department.

After discussing customers’ different comments and remarks on the services provided, the Forum reviewed the main recommendations from the First Customer Happiness Forum which included requesting further archival material, accessing the Emirates Library, purchasing the National Archives’ publications, and requesting educational packages, etc. Accordingly, the National Archives responded positively to all recommendations and fulfilled all requests of participants.

It is noteworthy that the Forum included displaying a video about the National Archives and another video on the developments of its provided services. Finally, the Forum concluded its events with an interesting competition on the history of the United Arab Emirates, the tasks and duties of the National Archives, and its core domain and specialization.

With the aim of enhancing students participation in the national initiative “Authors of the Next Fifty”,

The National Archives organized a national educational program to support and encourage talented students

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the National Archives organized a program including various national and educational workshops and lectures as part of the national initiative “Authors of the Next Fifty”, which targets UAE school students. The initiative comes concurrently with the year of preparations “Towards the Next 50”, and is driven by an ambitious vision to start a new phase in the UAE national march and cultural journey where the necessary knowledge support is provided to talented students in order to discover fifty talented authors.

The National Archives launched this initiative in partnership and collaboration with the Ministry of Education in line with its great national role and its keen interest in students civic education, generations sustainable knowledge development, and in enriching students’ thought and culture, along with instilling the values of loyalty and belonging to the homeland and its wise leadership, as well as promoting national identity and good citizenship principles in them.

In July and August 2020, the National Archives conducted its, distance learning, training and educational program for students during the current phase where the community ensures the adherence to all precautionary measures for the prevention and containment of COVID-19 in line with the Ministry of Education directives to the UAE educational sector.

The program's purposeful and comprehensive educational lectures and workshops encourage students to experiment and develop their writing skills and enhance their pride in the glorious history and ancient heritage of their homeland and their confidence in their talents and skills. They also encourage them to employ research approach in expressing their national sense through their research papers while adhering to the virtues and national principles of the Founding Leader, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and following his footsteps in his national march of development, building and national unity which led the UAE to assume a leading status among the world's most developed countries in a record time.

The training workshops and educational lectures tackled various topics of interest to students throughout their educational or academic journey and their exercise of experimental writing on national issues. The most prominent lectures are: “Zayed, A Uniter and Leader”, “Zayed’s Space Embracing Ambition”, “The Centennial Anniversary of the UAE… and Towards the Next 50” and “The UAE: Civilization of a People and a History of a Homeland”.

The training workshops shed light on the following topics: “How to Use AGDA: The Arabian Gulf Digital Archive” website, “Story Writing Skills”, “Research Approaches” and “Using the e-Index of the National Archives' Emirates Library ”.

Furthermore, the program included a number of awareness videos, discussions and reading workshops on various national topics.

The National Archives took the participating students on a virtual tour of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed virtual-reality Hall where they watched a 3-D documentary film on the UAE in the past and present.

To introduce the National Archives’ services to participating students, they were taken in a tour of the Emirates Library, which was established in 1968 concurrently with the establishment of the National Archives. The Emirates Library delivers services to researchers, academic staff, teachers and beneficiaries of various categories and sectors; through its electronic indexes, it also provides access to tens of thousands of electronic and printed sources, references, journals and periodicals on the UAE, which are made available for students and academic researchers whether in the UAE or abroad.

From the Emirates Library they moved on to the Customer Happiness Hall designated for receiving researchers, as it is equipped with the latest devices and software that help visitors in their search for and retrieval of historical documents and material on the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region among the National Archives' precious holdings.

With the aim of acquainting participating students with the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive “AGDA”, as a main and primary source of original documents on the Arabian Gulf, the forum introduced them to this free of charge digital portal which is available to all internet surfers including researchers, scholars, and academics, whether from a specialized background or the public, through which they can view thousands of historical documents and hundreds of photographs, audio-visual “multimedia” recordings of both historical and cultural value on the Gulf Cooperation Council countries or states and their rich history, and get acquainted with key influential figures in the Gulf region.

This program was implemented and conducted through the great efforts of the National Archives' work-team of experts and specialists; namely: Mrs. Husniya Al Ali, Head of the Educational Programs Section, along with the educational programs specialists: Aisha Al Zaabi, Mohammed Ismail Abdulla and Hind Al Zaabi as well as Shareena Al Qubaisi, Head of the Oral History Unit at the National Archives, and others.

On the Emirati Women’s Day Celebration, the National Archives Acknowledges the Emirati Women’s Status and Appreciates their Role in Serving the Nation

On the celebration of the Women’s Day, the National Archives participated in a number of activities to emphasize the paramount status attained by the Emirati Women. Thanks to the vision of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan- May Allah rest his soul- and due to the support of the wise leadership, Emirati women were able to a major breakthrough and a paradigmatic shift in their participation in all fields by virtue of the confidence and empowerment they enjoyed.   

Contingent upon a number of electronic spaces and communication techniques, the National Archives remotely participated in the Women’s Day events, which coincided with the anniversary of the Women’s Union on 28 August 1975, to underline the significance of the Emirati women’s role and their efforts in the entire socio-economic arena. These achievements by Emirati women epitomized the outcomes of the vision and insights of the founding leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the architect of the Emirati women’s renaissance and the main supporter of women to transcend all obstacles and enhance their contributions to the progress of the nation.  

On this occasion, Dr. Aisha Bilkhair, Research Advisor at the National Archives, participated in a symposium organized by Zayed Center for Studies and Research, entitled ( Women are Essential Partners in the Preparation for the Next Fifty Strategy).

 In her presentation,  she elaborated on the unprecedented role and the systematic strategic planning established by the late founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan- May Allah rest his soul- and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the Emirates- May Allah Protect her- for the advancement and empowerment of Emirati women in order to reach a unique position on the regional and global paradigms.

Moreover, Dr. Bilkhair, the research advisor at the National Archives explored aspects of the enablers and elements integral to the success of the wise leadership’s future vision since the dawn of the UAE Union. She also spotlighted the confidence and support bestowed upon Emirati women by the wise leadership. Further, Dr. Bilkhair highly appreciated the various sacrifices made by Emirati women in the past challenging the vicissitudes of life.  

In the same context, Dr. Bilkhair demonstrated the reality of women today, as they have become equipped with science and knowledge.  They have participated in nation building side by side with men to enhance the progress of their society. She argues that any Emirati woman who takes pride in her present should adhere to her values, roots and local identity.  

In the same vein, Dr. Bilkhair discussed the authentic role of the Emirati women throughout the history of the nation. She emphasized that Emirati women will remain an authentic symbol of tolerance owing to their patience, persistence, will, social intelligence and mental stability. She points out that Emirati women will undoubtedly adhere to norms, values and good morality.

“Emirati women are the true support for peace, tolerance and cooperation for a future that preserves the values of humanity due to bygone experiences and the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic”, she added.  

On the same occasion ( Women’s Day Celebration), Mrs. Aisha Al Zaabi, Educational Programs Specialist at the National Archives, reviewed the Emirati women’s role and contributions prior to the foundation of the Union in addition to their support to men in different realms of life. She also introduced the students participating in the “Authors of the Fifty Year” initiative sponsored by the National Archives (in collaboration with the Ministry of Education) to the wise leadership’s interest in the role of women alongside men in building the nation. Likewise, she familiarizes students with the wise leadership’s keenness to continue and develop the performance of Emirati women. Mrs. Aisha focused on the most significant initiatives and projects adopted by H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, and shed the light on the Emirati women’s position in the regional and international indexes.

 In collaboration with the Emirates Association for Social Developments, Mrs. Hind Al Zaabi, Educational Programs Specialist at the National Archives, made a presentation entitled “The Emirati Women”. She elaborated on Sheikh Zayed’s vision of the Emirati women’s reality and his interest in their affairs during his auspicious reign taking into consideration that women are mothers, wives and sisters who have aspirations, rights and duties.  Due to the vision of Sheikh Zayed, Emirati women were able to thrive and prosper in terms of thought, education, work and status.

Mrs. Al Zaabi emphasized that the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan - May Allah rest his soul- was interested in women’s education as one of the main pillars that foster the development level and heighten  the education rates among female students at schools and female graduates at colleges and universities. This vision is inherent in Sheikh Zayed’s belief that education is one of the basic essentials for women who aspire to support men in building and developing the nation. The presentation of Mrs. Al Zaabi provided evidence about the importance of the Emirati women’s role and the significant position currently attained by them as result of the efforts and contributions achieved by their female predecessors in pivotal areas.

Within the framework of its community social responsibility commitment and its keenness to enhance civic awareness

The National Archives Gives Access to its Publications to Visitors of Popular Cafes in Abu Dhabi and Other Emirates



The National Archives launched an initiative entitled (Your Book is Your Best Companion) through which many of its publications are distributed to popular cafes in Abu Dhabi and other Emirates. The initiative came in line with the National Archives’ social responsibility commitment, in which the National Archives takes great interest as it considers it an integral part of its national and moral duty. The initiative reflects the National Archives keenness to enhance civic awareness and promote the reading culture in the UAE community. The initiative is a new cultural phenomenon aimed at strengthening cafe visitors bond with books as a perfect means of utilizing time and enriching their knowledge.

The National Archives’ publications are well received by cafe owners and visitors, as they provide readers with historical information, on the history and heritage of the UAE and the biographies of its great leaders, supported by historical documents, photographs and maps, as part of  an important and authentic documentation of the UAE civilization and cultural heritage.

Among the most important National Archives publications on the shelves of popular cafes are: (Zayed from Challenges to Union), (Zayed, Man who Built a Nation), (Zayed and Heritage), (Zayed and Excellence), (Khalifa, A Journey into the Future), (Thus Spoke Fatima Bint Mubarak), (Qasr Al Hosn: The History of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi, 1793-1966) and (Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi).

National lectures, educational games, cartoon characters

The National Archives participates in receiving school students from all levels at the beginning of the new academic year



The National Archives participated in Abu Dhabi Schools in receiving students from various stages at the beginning of the new academic year 2019-2020 as part of its educational program (Towards a New, More Distinguished Academic Year). The reception activities aimed at spreading happiness and encouraging students to draw a future horizon in order to achieve distinguished academic achievement in order to reach their goals and to be able to achieve the aspirations of the wise leadership in making the future of the country that depends on them.

The efforts of the National Archives in receiving students stemmed from its role as a partner in the national upbringing of generations, and its keenness to inform generations of its role in preserving the memory of the nation and making it available.

At the reception of young and new students in kindergartens and early stages, the National Archives contributed to spreading happiness among them and breaking the barriers between them and the school through many songs, educational games, and cartoon characters (Hamad, Hessa, and Grandfather) accompanied by some educational specialists in the Educational Programs Department of the National Archives; The cartoon characters - whose shapes and colors are fun - were able to attract children's interest and encourage them to join the school environment, and they were accepted by them, especially when they presented some symbolic gifts to them. And fun, and the National Archives cartoon characters captured the admission of young newcomers, and the attention of students from all educational levels.

The National Archives, when receiving students from the second and third cycles, organized many lectures on methods of setting goals and plans in order to achieve success and self-development. With the aim of instilling the national principles of the symbolic leader in the hearts of students, and spreading his noble values and exploits, and his love for peace and tolerance with the aim of promoting good citizenship among generations of students, the lectures stressed the importance of what the wise leadership offers to generations of students, and linked this with many sayings of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The National Archives’ lectures for middle and high school students focused on the UAE’s agenda and the aspirations of the wise leadership, and then reflected that on the future of the student, stressing that the student who makes efforts in his studies and masters his work will be an active member of his community wherever he goes and in whatever field he specializes in or works.

At the beginning of this academic year, the National Archives achieved its desired goals of contributing to encouraging students and making them more enthusiastic about learning and serving the country, so that they would be able to set their plans and goals based on well-established national values and principles that support their values of good citizenship.