• Dr Abdulla El Reyes, the director general of the newly renamed National Archives based in Abu Dhabi.
    Dr Abdulla El Reyes, the director general of the newly renamed National Archives based in Abu Dhabi.
  • A model of a warship from the British Royal Navy.
    A model of a warship from the British Royal Navy.
  • Francois Sire, the archives operations manager at the archiving department, puts film footage in a machine for careful cleaning.
    Francois Sire, the archives operations manager at the archiving department, puts film footage in a machine for careful cleaning.
  • This document details the official description and sketch of the flag of the UAE on December 13, 1971.
    This document details the official description and sketch of the flag of the UAE on December 13, 1971.
  • An old steenbeck machine used for film viewing at the archiving department.
    An old steenbeck machine used for film viewing at the archiving department.
  • Rare photo of the late Sheikh Zayed, UAE’s founding father.
    Rare photo of the late Sheikh Zayed, UAE’s founding father.
  • Rare photos of the late Sheikh Zayed. The National Archive exhibition. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
    Rare photos of the late Sheikh Zayed. The National Archive exhibition. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
  • Top: Sketch of the Portuguese fortress at Khor Fakkan built in 1620 from the Portuguese Archives. Bottom: A sketch of the fortress at Bidiya captured by the Portuguese in 1623.
    Top: Sketch of the Portuguese fortress at Khor Fakkan built in 1620 from the Portuguese Archives. Bottom: A sketch of the fortress at Bidiya captured by the Portuguese in 1623.
  • Old Abu Dhabi. Photos of Al Maqta Bridge, Abu Dhabi in 1967, and Abu Dhabi Airport.
    Old Abu Dhabi. Photos of Al Maqta Bridge, Abu Dhabi in 1967, and Abu Dhabi Airport.
  • Another frame of Abu Dhabi airport in 1970.
    Another frame of Abu Dhabi airport in 1970.
  • Sheikh Zayed.
    Sheikh Zayed.
  • The General Treaty of Peace between the Arab Tribes of the Gulf and the British Government, 1820 in Arabic.
    The General Treaty of Peace between the Arab Tribes of the Gulf and the British Government, 1820 in Arabic.
  • Afif Amine, a senior editor at the archiving department.
    Afif Amine, a senior editor at the archiving department.
  • The National Archive exhibition. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
    The National Archive exhibition. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
  • Film Reels in storage.
    Film Reels in storage.
  • The Arabic text of the Treaty of Perpetual Maritime Peace signed by the Trucial Chiefs through the mediation of the British Political Resident, 1853.
    The Arabic text of the Treaty of Perpetual Maritime Peace signed by the Trucial Chiefs through the mediation of the British Political Resident, 1853.

UAE

In pictures: Delving into the UAE archives

Mark Asquith

June 08, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

On International Archives Day, Rym Ghazal meets Dr Abdulla El Reyes, the man in charge of archiving the Emirates. All photos by Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

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