The National Archives issues the 19th edition of Liwa journal including bright pages of memories 

 

The National Archives has issued the 19th edition of the refereed academic journal “Liwa”, concerned with primary academic research in both Arabic and English. It is dedicated to the study of the history, heritage and archeology of the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Gulf Region.

The new edition of Liwa includes an article about “The fundamental Principles of Sultan Al Qasimi's Historical Approach” where Dr. Manni Bu na’amah points out that the historical writing of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Federal Council and Ruler of Sharjah depends on strong principles and distinctive characteristics indicative of a veteran and seasoned historian. His writing depends on both approaches of comparison between historical accounts and of counting on documented authentic documents to reconstruct historical events and to examine the past with a critical eye and an honest assiduous writing style that seeking credibility, objectivity and impartiality away from indirectness, compliments and selectivity. At the same time, his writing style also rests on firm grounds, authentic Islamic background and genuine national aspect that distinguishes it in terms of reading, comprehensibility and utilising.

The article examines the historical writing approach of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi and points out the key props on which he based and developed his historical vision, namely: in writing history, his historical approach, the sources of his historical materials and historical writing characteristics.

In this edition, Liwa sheds light on the “Flying boats on the Trucial Coast 1927-1947” by Michael Quentin Morton where he describes, in details, the role of British flying boats, which constructs a significant phase in the history of the emirates. However, this was short lived as such aeroplanes were introduced to the emirates region at the end of the 1920s. These aeroplanes were designed to take off and land on water. As aviation developed, new and improved types of flying boats were introduced to the scene. The article focuses on the arrival of flying boats at Dubai Creek and also at other emirates.

The article also presents some exquisite incidents, pleasant experiences, relevant photos and a map of the Arabian Gulf region in 1933 showing air routes, aerodromes, landing fields, and anchorages of flying boats, following which comes the references used by the author.

This edition also includes an article on an important urban architectural landmark “The Residence of Ibn Suroor Al Dhahri in Al Mutaredh Oasis in Al Ain”, co-authored by Dhiyauddine Al Tawalebah and Ahmed Abdulla Al Haj. This residence was one of the historical buildings in Al Mutaredh Oasis in Al Ain, distinguished by its vast space and surrounding palm trees. During archaeological excavations carried out by Archaeology and Tourism Department during the summer of 2005 in order to uncover and preserve the residence, several finds were unearthed, most of which were pottery cooking-ware and pots, some of which were made in Holland in 1836, in addition to few glass and metal ware and many bronze and copper coins.

The authors supported the article with detailed description of the residence architectural style and building materials.  Al Ain was distinguished by this architectural style which is different from that of coastal cities. The article also includes a general layout of the residence consisting of an open courtyard surrounded by a number of rooms and other appurtenances.

The article is further supported with some illustrative pictures, photos of some archeological finds and an outlook of the residence following completion of excavations. At the end comes the bibliography illustrating the references the authors used.

In this edition of Liwa, Dr. Hamad Mohammed Bin Srai introduces the book: The Arabian Gulf: Culture and Society by Abdulla Abdulrahman Yateem, which includes a prologue by Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of Sharjah Institute for Heritage, presenting a general overview of the book, which deals in its first chapter, Bahrain, consisting of three sections: “The Social Roots of Elites and people of distinction”, “Religion, Identity and Citizenship: Roots and Challenges” and “Music and Folk Songs”.

Chapter two, deals with The United Arab Emirates, and includes two sections: “Social Boundaries between Mountain Inhabitants” and “Religion and Society in Desert Life”.

Liwa reminds its readers of the main publications recently issued by the National Archives, namely: “Development of Education in the UAE”, “A Tour in the Indian Ocean and the Arab Sea”, “The Modern System of Documentation and Archives”, “Unraveling Sheikh Tahnoun's Biography”, “Forts and Watchtowers in Al Dhafra” and “Electricity Services in the Trucial coast States”.