Photographer Noor Ali Rashid's archives - in pictures
The legendary Egyptian singer and actor Abdel Halim Hafez, known for hits such as Ahwak and Abo Oyoun Garee'a, performs in Abu Dhabi during UAE National Day celebrations in the 1970s. All photos: Noor Ali Rashid Archives
The famous photo of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the Rulers of Sharjah, Ajman, Dubai and Fujairah as the flag is raised for the first time on December 2, 1971. The Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain attended the ceremony instead of the Ruler, who was unwell.
The photographer becomes the subject as Noor Ali Rashid is carried by Sheikh Zayed and others during a visit to the ski slopes of Lebanon in the 1970s
Ali Rashid worked in the UAE from 1958 until his death in 2010. Capturing many iconic moments in the country's history, he became friends with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who was Ruler of Dubai at the formation of the UAE
He said from the day Sheikh Zayed invited him to take his portrait at Al Hosn Palace in Abu Dhabi in 1962, Ali Rashid felt a special bond with the Founding Father and his family
First proposals for the new United Arab Emirates included Bahrain and Qatar, whose leaders are shown here arriving in Abu Dhabi in the 1960s. The two countries eventually decided to declare independence on their own
Amid a swarm of journalists, Noor Ali Rashid was able to capture this image of Sheikh Zayed as he signed the documents forming the UAE in Dubai on December 2, 1971
Shamsa Noor Ali Rashid, who is archiving her father's work, presents a 2011 exhibition of Noor Ali Rashid's work at an exhibition at the Swiss Embassy in Abu Dhabi
Talks to form the UAE reached a decisive moment in February 1968 when Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid met in the desert on the borders of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with Noor Ali Rashid the only photographer present. Here, he captures a warm embrace between the two leaders
Shamsa Noor Ali, her family and a dedicated team, have spent 15 years creating an archive of the photographer's work. She is seen her with her late father at an exhibition of his work
Plans to form a United Arab Emirates in the late 1960s had light moments. Here Noor Ali Rashid captures Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Khalid, Rulers of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, enjoying a joke
Sheikh Zayed, as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, leaves the Trucial States council, as the UAE was known before its formation in 1972. In the 1960s, Sheikh Zayed was already conceiving the new country
Sheikh Zayed with Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah
An Alouette III military helicopter flies the flag for UAE National Day celebrations in 1972
