The National Library and Archives hosts its first Ramadan Majlis’ evening.
About the Arabian Saluki and its ancient and deep-rooted origins in the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula’s deserts

The National Library and Archives hosted in its Majlis the first Ramadan evening on the “Saluki… An authentic breed and ancient deep-rooted origin” The cultural evening was attended by a great crowd of dignitaries and intellectuals. This evening came in line with the new National Library and Archives’ corporate brand, aspiring to enrich knowledge societies and promote awareness about the ancient heritage as an important and key pillar in instilling and preserving national identity.
Commenting on the National Library and Archives’ Majlis, His Excellency, Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General, quoted the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, stating that: “The Majlis is a school in its own right’’, and the National Library and Archives concurs and believes in the great significance of Majlises, and has accordingly established its Majlis to serve as a cultural destination and a knowledge hub that promotes, and establishes its leading and crucial role in culture production and sustainability, and in enriching knowledge societies. The Majlis was inaugurated at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, which is renowned for being the month of enhancing human communication and social relations.
H.E. added: “The National Library and Archives intends to host various Ramadan evenings with the participation of prominent cultural and intellectual figures, to discuss and delve into diverse important topics and crucial issues relating to Emirati heritage and culture, and to explore cultural horizons with various renowned specialists and creative cultural figures.”
His Excellency welcomed all attendees and thanked the seminar participating speakers and Saluki owners.
The lecture was delivered by Mr. Hamad Ghanim Shaheen Al Ghanim, Founder and owner of the Arabian Saluki Club, and Chairman of the Arabian Saluki competitions and Heritage Races Committee, who tackled the historical importance of Salukis in the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Peninsula, stressing that it is one of the key elements of the celebrated Emirati heritage to which great various levels’ interest and attention are attached.
Al-Ghanim stressed that the Saluki history in the Arabian Peninsula dates back thousands of years and talked about the Arabian Saluki types in the Emirates, mentioning two categories or breeds, namely: the feathery or “Al Aryash”, and the smooth or “Al-Hoss”. He added that Arabs call their Salukis names that are derived from their color, breed or qualities, and that some poets praised the Salukis in their poems, commending and celebrating their loyalty and great role when accompanying falconers on hunting trips, and in safeguarding the villages or “mahadhir”.
He pointed out that Saluki owners participate in Saluki racing competitions or festivals and in Saluki beauty contests. Al-Ghanim’s lecture was clarified and enriched by physically presenting more than ten Saluki hound dogs that were accompanied by their owners, where he introduced the feathery Saluki known as “Al-Aryash” and the smooth one known as “Al-Hoss”, pointing out that Salukis’ life span often exceeds twenty years.
The Veterinarian, Dr. Bilal Abdel Halim educated the audience about Salukis care-taking procedures, stressing that prevention is always better than cure, as it reduces the sick Saluki’s owner’s treatment or medication expenses and sufferings. Protecting a Saluki from sickness or disease requires performing regular and periodic medical examinations, vaccinations against viruses, mites or insects, etc., it also requires determining food amounts based on the Saluki’s age, type and sex, and the targeted objective, whether it is racing or a beauty context, and ensuring that its food is kept pure and preserved against heat and moisture, so it does not get spoilt.
The Ramadan Majlis’ evening was well received and witnessed great interaction from the audience and all present as they highly appreciated the valuable information introduced by Mr. Al-Ghanim about Salukis, and the great tips and recommendations of Dr. Bilal Abdul Halim, as they recounted several interesting stories about Salukis, and asked various questions about Saluki raising, training, advantages and their current significance and importance.
During that Ramadan Majlis’ cultural evening, many of the Saluki owners displayed to the present public their Salukis, some of which had already won either Saluki races, or beauty contests.