During a visit by Mr. Alaa Hamad Al Roumi, Chairman of Board of Trustees of the Kuwait Arabian Horse Center, to its premises in Abu Dhabi, the NA welcomed cooperation, integration and exchange of experiences with the Center in respect of historical documents, records, resources and references documenting the Arabian horse history, pedigree and heritage in the Arabian Gulf region.

The National Archives discusses strengthening cooperation with the Arabian Horse Center

During a visit by Mr. Alaa Hamad Al Roumi, Chairman of Board of Trustees of the Kuwait Arabian Horse Center, to its premises in Abu Dhabi, the NA welcomed cooperation, integration and exchange of experiences with the Center in respect of historical documents, records, resources and references documenting the Arabian horse history, pedigree and heritage in the Arabian Gulf region.

Mr. Al Roumi examined the NA acquisitions including historical documents and manuscripts concerning horses, and was apprised of the NA interest in documenting this field, which resulted in issuing the largest Arabian horses encyclopedia (Al ’Adeyat) and its participations in Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival with valuable information about horses in general and horses in the UAE in particular. This is in addition to documenting the passion of the founding leader, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for horses and equestrian sports and the drive by the wise leadership to revive the Emirati heritage, as well as the importance of thoroughbred horses in this heritage, which all people are proud of.

Discussions covered the participation of the National Archives in hunting and equestrian exhibitions that displayed a multitude of historical photographs of purebred horses, their raising and races.

Mr. Alaa Al Roumi, accompanied by Yehia Abdulla Al Kendri from Activities and Media Department at the Arabian Horse Center, took a tour of the National Archives starting with the Presidential Archives Section, which documents the UAE’s history and heritage. He examined some old documentary films about the Arabian horses’ history and status in the UAE. Then, he watched a high tech 3-D documentary film about the UAE’s history, present and future prospects in Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Virtual Reality Theatre. He also viewed samples of written documents, historical photographs and maps. The tour included a visit to the Printing Press and Emirates Library, which is specialized in the history and culture of the UAE and Gulf region. The visiting delegation viewed important references on horses, most notably Al ’Adeyat Encyclopedia, which is the largest Arabic encyclopedia on horses. It consists of five volumes of more than 1000 pages on horse pedigree, anatomy, raising, medication, disposition, etc.

The National Archives presented the Arabian Horse Center with some of its publications including Al ’Adeyat Encyclopedia. It is worth mentioning that the Arabian Horse Center in Kuwait is a platform for reviving the heritage of purebred Arabian horses and it hosts national and international equestrian events.