Explore The Ages: UAE's Rich Heritage Unveiled In New Encyclopaedia
The National Library and Archives (NLA) has announced the completion of Phase 1 of its major project, the Encyclopaedia of the UAE History. This initiative aims to document the nation's memory, documentary assets, and cultural achievements.
The encyclopaedia covers various eras: prehistoric times in Emirates, pre-Islamic era Emirates, Emirates from Islam's advent until the first Abbasid era. It continues through Portuguese, Dutch, British eras up to modern times. Additionally, it highlights sectors like politics, military affairs, transport systems as well as education health judicial sectors while addressing economic social cultural heritage aspects too.
Phase 1 involved identifying approximately 10,400 sources and references covering various periods to be documented by the encyclopaedia. These sources include economic, social, cultural, and heritage aspects among others.
The encyclopaedia aims to serve as a reliable reference that aids in the development, protection, and publication of intellectual works. It also seeks to enhance the NLA's standing through strategic partnerships.
Abdulla Majed Al Ali, NLA Director General, stated, "The encyclopaedia's working party has succeeded in bringing Phase 1 to full completion as this phase is one of the most important stages for the encyclopaedia to be accomplished and widespread.
"In fact, we have identified about 10,400 sources and references that cover different eras of the UAE's history, starting from the Stone and Bronze Ages to the foundation of the Union and the UAE's rapid development under the prudent directives of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and our wise leadership, which followed his example and continued his glorious march."
The NLA has set up an electronic portal for researchers. This portal archives their work according to encyclopaedia classifications and records each process's time and date along with actions taken by each team member.
The sources for this project are diverse. They include books, written documents, historical photographs, journals, articles, scientific papers, and more in both Arabic and English. These were classified according to sections starting with geographical locations where events occurred in UAE history.
Al Ali emphasised that sources can increase due to ongoing efforts by over 100 global experts working alongside 63 UAE-based researchers. Sections were distributed based on each committee member's specialisation.
In Phase 2 specialist researchers will delve into researching writing tasks followed by editing modifications requested during Phase 3 then final review by scientific committee during Phase 4. Editing proofreading indexing will occur during Phase 5 before design production printing conclude project end-2026.
This comprehensive project not only documents but preserves UAE’s rich history ensuring it remains accessible informative for generations come reflecting nation’s journey from ancient times present day achievements progress under visionary leadership Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan subsequent leaders following path laid down him.
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