In alignment with the Year of Community,
The National Library and Archives has acquired over one million historical documents from the Ras Al Khaimah Courts.
Considering their significance as valuable information sources, and because they provide a documentary asset that serves as a foundation for historical accuracy, the National Library and Archives acquired one million historical transaction records from the Ras Al Khaimah Courts Department. This collection was moved for preservation and restoration between June 2024 and January 2025. They include authentication documents, marriage and divorce contracts, civil and legal executions, petitions, representations, declarations, and contracts certified by a notary public.

This initiative comes as affirmation of the genuine interest dedicated to the Emirati society and family, which is central to the Year of Community. These historical transactions serve as important documents for families and individuals, officially recording familial and community connections within society, thereby reflecting respect and pride in its constituents.
On this occasion, His Excellency Abdullah Majed Al-Ali, the Director General of the National Library and Archives, commented: “The collaboration with Ras Al Khaimah Courts is one of the most important initiatives, achieving a substantial level of integration between the NLA and governmental bodies throughout the nation. This initiative is in line with Federal Law No. (7) of 2008 regarding the National Library and Archives and its implementing regulations.”
His Excellency went on to emphasize that compliance with the law and joint endeavours are vital for preserving the immense historical significance of these documents, ensuring they are protected within a national institution that has global expertise in this domain. Furthermore, the initiative improves the level of integration among governmental entities, a key aspect of the UAE Government Excellence Model (GEM) in its latest 2024 edition, which prioritizes outcomes, results, collaboration, and integration.

His Excellency Chancellor Ahmed Mohammed Al Khatri, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Courts, stated that this initiative aims to ensure the preservation of the historical and rare paper files from the Ras Al Khaimah Courts Department with a high standard of quality, allowing for easy retrieval. It also seeks to ensure that any partially damaged documents are restored at a specialized institution with a global reputation, such as the NLA, safeguarding them from potential hazards. He emphasized that the economic benefits of this project align with the vision of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah 2030. This involves supporting a policy of business continuity and minimizing the risks associated with storing a large volume of paper documents in inadequate facilities, which could lead to damage or loss.

Dr. Hamad Al-Mutairi, Director of the Archives Department at the National Library and Archives, confirmed that both parties have agreed to carry out a project to transfer 100% of the old paper files from the Ras Al Khaimah Courts Department to the National Library and Archives, which include approximately 1,407,818 old paper transactions dating back to before 2020.

Dr. Hazza Al-Naqbi, Head of the Government Archives Department, indicated that the National Library and Archives has a specific system in place for accessing and borrowing these files, noting that the NLA has successfully completed 70.3% of the total number of old files scheduled for transfer to their facilities.
Mohammed Hussein Fahmy, project manager and institutional development consultant at Ras Al Khaimah Courts, reported that 7,628 boxes containing 989,273 transactions have been successfully transported to the NLA over the course of 33 trips.