The National Archives Launches “Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi”

On the First Day of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2018

As per the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the National Archives presents at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2018, several historical publications on the occasion of the “Year of Zayed”.

Among these new publications, which document bright aspects of the rich and glorious history of the UAE, is the book: “Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi”, which highlights an important stage of our modern cultural history. In 1971, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Leader of the United Arab Emirates, invited the Arab Singer Umm Kulthum to participate in the celebrations that were held at the end of November 1971 in commemoration of 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. She was also honored by Umm Al Emarat (the Mother of the UAE), Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, who held a special celebration on the occasion of Umm Kulthum’s visit to Abu Dhabi.

“Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi” is a book that documents this important artistic and cultural event with beautiful pictures. It follows the different stops of the visit, from Umm Kulthum leaving Cairo Airport to reaching Abu Dhabi Airport, as well as the first concert sponsored and attended by the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and many Sheikhs, ministers, officials and senior visitors who came from outside the UAE to congratulate Sheikh Zayed on his 5th Accession Day Anniversary. The photo album also documents Umm Kulthum’s visit to Al Manhal Palace to greet Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The book “Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi” is one of the important books published by the National Archives to document many of the bright historical stages of the UAE’s modern history.

Novelist Mohammed Al Murr, Deputy Chairman of the National Archives, who supervised the editing of the book, wrote a comprehensive foreword, which put Umm Kulthum’s visit to Abu Dhabi within its historical framework. The visit came during one of the most important stages of the country’s modern history, a golden stage which was started by the late Sheikh Zayed assuming office in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and announcing the establishment of the UAE, the dream of Zayed, the dream of the Founding Leaders, and the dream of the people of the UAE.