Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority established to preserve Emirati culture and traditions

President Sheikh Mohamed, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, has issued a law establishing the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority.

The authority's main roles will include developing strategies to preserve Emirati heritage and traditions; promoting traditional and national identity values; documenting heritage practices; and conducting studies and research on literature and traditions.

It will also document Emirati nabati (vernacular) and classical Arabic poetry initiatives, as well as review historical studies and publications focusing on the oral history of the emirate, as well as its spoken dialects. This will include poems and written, visual and audio materials on the UAE and its leadership.

The authority will also manage and organise festivals, exhibitions and heritage programmes inside and outside the emirate.

Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority will replace the Emirates Heritage Club and the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee – Abu Dhabi.

Established as an independent body in 1993 by UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Emirates Heritage Club helps protect and promote the heritage of the UAE.

The Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee was formed in 2013 to complement the Emirates Heritage Club and host activities to promote Emirati culture and heritage. The committee organises various annual events including Al Dhafra Festival, known as “the greatest showcase of Bedouin lifestyle”, and the Liwa Date Festival, which celebrates the UAE's tradition of harvesting dates, now in its 20th year.

There has been a greater emphasis in recent years towards heritage preservation in the UAE. Last July, Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism announced that 64 buildings and sites required “immediate and unconditional protection”.

The department’s Modern Heritage Conservation Initiative would approve the maintenance and renovations of the buildings according to their designated grade. No demolition applications would be allowed.

“It is our civic responsibility to guard this modern heritage,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the department.

“Not only because of the value it holds in our collective memory as residents of this emirate but because of the historical testimony it has in telling Abu Dhabi’s story through architectural and urban identity between the traditional past and our aspirations for the future.”

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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.