Tucked away in a new exhibit on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island lie some of the rarest manuscripts in the world.
From editions of the Holy Quran dating back hundreds of years to the first edition of the Arabian Nights, the unique display offers a breathtaking view of ancient Islam.
Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism, the collection opened on Wednesday and is on display until February 15.
About 50 manuscripts make up the exhibit, all on loan from Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies and the Juma Al Majid Establishment in the UAE.
“This is the first-ever exhibition of such manuscripts in Abu Dhabi,” said Shaikha Al Mehairi, a library director at the Department of Tourism and Culture.
“Our aim is to highlight just how precious these pieces are. So many are stolen, lost or destroyed by conflict that we have to treasure what we have.”
The new exhibit, which includes maps and books worth millions of dirhams, is on display at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
A Quran commissioned in the 17th Century by the Moroccan Sultan Abdulla II is among the highlights.
The works are part of UAE efforts to promote and protect its rich cultural heritage, allowing Emiratis and tourists alike to learn more about the country’s past.
They are on display to coincide with Abu Dhabi’s first Manuscripts Conference and Exhibition on Wednesday and Thursday.
In 2017, the UAE pledged US$15 million (Dh55m) as part of global efforts to better protect heritage sites around the world from war and extremism.
Signatories to the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas vowed to conserve and restore sites at risk from armed conflict.
“It’s really important to highlight the calligraphy of our manuscripts, educating the public on their cultural heritage,” said Ms Al Mehairi.
“It’s crucial for any nation to understand their past and how their culture has developed.
“Our geographic boundaries may be new, but previous civilisations have made great contributions to who we are and we can trace this through the manuscripts.”
Included in the exhibit are some of the earliest known Islamic manuscripts.
Speaking on the first day of the conference, Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said: "Arabic manuscripts are this nation's living memory, and represent its knowledge, cultural, and intellectual heritage accumulated over the years."
Adjacent to the main site, visitors with deep pockets can also take the opportunity to buy similarly unique items from a variety of specialists.
Atlases, 15th-century maps and sea charts are all for sale by London dealer Daniel Crouch Rare Books, which recently sold a map to the Louvre Abu Dhabi for around $10 million.
Nearby, Peter Harrington Rare Books is currently selling the first edition of The Prophet, by the Lebanese-American poet Khalil Gibran, for more than Dh100,000.
“We are trying to expand in the Middle East,” said Ben Houston, who represents Peter Harrington Rare Books.
“There’s a burgeoning market for rare books in the region.”
Ms Al Mehairi, the library director, added: “It’s a growing niche but more and more Emiratis are interested in manuscripts. These exhibitions encourage that.”
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Read more:
The history of museums in the Emirates
Louvre Abu Dhabi: the long-awaited first look inside
Qasr Al Hosn is a huge hit with visitors on opening night
Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
