NLA Continues its Role in Documenting the UAE Inspiring Personalities
NLA Documented About 3000 Entries in Sheikh Tahnoun Diaries
The National Library and Archives Launches the Diaries of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The National Library and Archives launched at its platform in the 33rd edition of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2024, the book: The Diaries of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain region. Sheikh Tahnoun Al Nahyan had a biography full of achievements. He was a close companion of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and builder, and this blessed companionship had a distinct impact on his thinking and management. He gained practical experience, knowledge, and wisdom from Sheikh Zayed in making the right decisions and increased his closeness and communication with the people of Al Ain in their joys and occasions. He was among the men in whom Sheikh Zayed placed his utmost trust.
Commenting on the Diaries of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Muhammad Al Nahyan, His Excellency Abdulla Majid Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, says: “The accomplishments of the late Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed are worthy of documentation and preservation in the nation’s memory for the future generations. His significant achievements highlight his major role both before and after the establishment of the Union. His eventful life further elevated his status in the history of the United Arab Emirates, enriching his biography with a distinctive patriotic character – as he was a close companion to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”
He added: “The Diaries of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, compiled by the National Library and Archives in Abu Dhabi, documented a series of events and daily activities. These diaries covered the period from 1966 to 2010, which was full of patriotic contributions.”
His Excellency said: “We, at the National Library and Archives are keen to document the biographies of the inspiring national figures. Therefore, we issued a series of diaries, starting with the diaries of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. These diaries are not only confined to the person’s journey; but they provide a picture of the establishment, development and prosperity of the United Arab Emirates. They will present a good help for the generations, and act as a beacon of light that will guide them on the path of choosing a role model in building the nation and preserving its achievements, and in continuing to hold the banner to put our dear UAE at the forefront of the countries of the world. We are following our wise leadership directives in this regard.”
The Diaries of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Muhammad contain the positions he held, his interests, and activities in the various areas of life. The shows the extent of development, growth and excellence the UAE has achieved, in a way that leads the researcher to adopt a comparative approach between the fundamentals upon which the UAE was founded. The diaries touch on various fields: political, social, economic, media, security, and sports…. They represent a smaller part of his deeds, which were compiled from what has been published in the daily newspapers: (Monitoring Bulletin, Al–Ittihad, Al-Khaleej, Al-Bayan, Al-Wahda, Al-Arab News, Al-Emarat Al-Youm newspapers, and the Official Gazette of the UAE Government).
The diaries come in four volumes. At the beginning of each volume is an index of its contents by years, followed by an introduction, then the diaries of Sheikh Tahnoun continue. At the end of each volume is a detailed, comprehensive index of all the diaries and photographs of Sheikh Tahnoun relevant to these diaries.
Volume 1: From 1966 to 1980.
Volume 2: From 1981 to 1990.
Volume 3: From 1991 to 2005.
Volume 4: from 2006 to 2010.
The diaries are compiled in a chronological order and documented in a way that facilitates reference to the origin, source, and date of the event to make it easier for researchers to access events they cited with reliable evidences.
The Diaries Document the Milestones in the Life of the Late Sheikh Tahnoun:
On September 11, 1966, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan issued Emiri Decree No. (2) of 1966 appointing Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan as Chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Chairman of Al Ain Municipality. He was also appointed as a member in Abu Dhabi Planning Council. On May 1, 1969, he was appointed Chairman of the Municipality, Agriculture, Labor and Social Affairs Departments in the Eastern Region, and on May 1, 1971, he was appointed Deputy Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region.
On the August 6, 1969, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – in his capacity as Chairman of the Planning Council – issued Resolution No. (1) of 1969 regarding the establishment of the Municipal Council of Al Ain region and the neighboring villages (Al Ain, Hili, Qattara, Al Jimi, Al Muwaiji, Al Masoudi, Murijib, Zakher and more). The council consists of twelve members: two to be nominated by the Municipal Council of Abu Dhabi from among its members, and the other ten members from Al Ain region to be nominated by: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Chairman of the Defense Department, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Municipality and Agriculture Departments. Labor and Social Affairs in the Eastern Region. The nomination list was presented to the Planning Council.
On August 7, 1970, Sheikh Zayed – in his capacity as Chairman of the Planning Council – issued Resolution No. (3) of 1970, vide which Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan was appointed Chairman of the Al Ain Municipal Council.
On July 1, 1971, Sheikh Zayed issued Emiri Decree No. (8) of 1971, forming the first ministry in the history of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, headed by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan was appointed Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture.
On August 9, 1971, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan issued Emiri Decree No. (26) of 1971 appointing Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan as the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region.
On March 12, 1972, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan issued an order appointing Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region and Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture in Abu Dhabi, as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Al Ain Agricultural Experiment Station.
On July 8, 1972, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – as the Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi – issued Emiri Decree No. (31) of 1972, appointing Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Fund for Arab Economic Development, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan as a member of the Board of Directors.
On July 16, 1973, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – in his capacity the Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi – issued Emiri Decree No. (13) of 1973, appointing Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture, as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
On January 20, 1974, Sheikh Zayed – in his capacity as the Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi – issued Emiri Decree No. (2) of 1974 appointing Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan as Chairman of the Municipality and Agriculture Department in Al Ain.
On November 4, 1974, the Permanent Office of the Arab Towns Organization – with its headquarters in Kuwait – issued a unanimous decision selecting Sheikh Tahnoun bin Muhammad Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region, as a member of its office.
On March 21, 1976, Sheikh Zayed – in his capacity as the Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi – issued Emiri Decree No. (6) of 1976 regarding the formation of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Chaired by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Excellency Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi as Vice Chairman, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, as a member.
On January 9, 1977, Sheikh Zayed – in his capacity as the Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi – issued Emiri Decree No. (3) of 1977, appointing Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan as Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, and Chairman of the Municipality and Agriculture Department in Al Ain.
On March 6, 1978, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – in his capacity, as Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi – issued Emiri Decree No. (4) of 1978 appointing Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, as a member in it.
On July 20, 1982, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – when he was the President of the United Arab Emirates and in his capacity as the Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi – issued Emiri Decree No. (9) of 1982 renewing the membership of the members of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Chaired by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi as Vice Chairman of the Council, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan as a member.
On June 5, 1988, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan issued Emiri Decree No. (1) of 1988 regarding the formation of the Supreme Petroleum Council, Chaired by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan as a member. He also issued Emiri Decree No. (2) of 1988 appointing the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, chaired by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi as a Deputy, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan as a member.
On November 25, 1991, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in his capacity, as the Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi – issued Emiri Decree No. (8) of 1991 regarding the formation of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, under his chairmanship, and appointing Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan as Chairman of Abu Dhabi Public Works Department, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan as Vice Chairman of the Municipality and Agriculture Department in Al Ain.
On June 4, 1992, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan – in his capacity, as the Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi – issued Emiri Decree No. (4) of 1992, appointing Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan as Chairman of Municipality and Urban Planning Department in Al Ain, and the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in Al Ain.
On March 14, 2017, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan – in his capacity, as Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi – issued Law No. (7) of 2017, amending the name of the “Eastern Region” in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to become “Al Ain Region”, and that Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in it.