United Arab Emirates History

Below is a link to a virtual museum:

http://www.uaeinteract.com/VIRTUAL_MUSEUM/museum_index.html

Dawn breaks on the day of the formation of the United Arab Emirates, as Sheikh Zayed drives towards Dubai and destiny.

According to Sheikh Zayed’s private secretary, Al Haj al Mehairbi, the Ruler’s party had left Al Manhal Palace before nightfall on December 1 and spent the evening at a camp in Sameah, then open desert. Sheikh Zayed is at the wheel of his white Mercedes 600, equipped, like all vehicles in those days before tarmac roads, with special desert tyres and accompanied by several of his closest advisers, including Ahmed al Suwaidi. Al Mehairbi, who followed the Ruler in a Government Land Rover, recalls: “Sheikh Zayed liked to sleep in the desert. He liked to prepare. This was the leader. Sometimes he had something on his mind and around him at the fire were what you would call the ‘group of Zayed’. He was a very democratic man. He wanted to ask questions and to see what they would say. He respected others’ points of view.”

Mohammed al Qudsi, a senior member of the Abu Dhabi TV team, is at Union House at 2am to set up. “We placed our camera near the flag raising, a couple inside the room where the sheikhs were going to be, and on the roof. The roof was a crucial location and the footage from that was very good.”
According to some reports, Sheikh Zayed meets first with Sheikh Rashid at Zabeel Palace before the two Rulers drive to the official federation ceremonies together, arriving before 10am. “Sheikh Zayed came in an American car but with Sheikh Rashid and officials of Dubai,” al Qudsi says. He recalls a sunny day, but cool enough for men to be wearing light jackets.

10AM The Rulers gather at Sheikh Rashid’s majlis on the beach in Jumeirah. Sheikh Ahmed, the Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain, is unable to attend because of illness and has delegated responsibility to Sheikh Rashid, the Crown Prince and future Ruler. Sheikh Saqr, the Ruler of Ras al Khaimah, is present as an observer. The Rulers and their advisers gather around a horseshoe-shaped table in the circular meeting room now known as Union House, which is a round house beside the majlis.
Their first task is to ratify the provisional constitution that formally brings the United Arab Emirates into existence. The ceremony and proclamation, read by Ahmed al Suwaidi, is filmed and broadcast live on the new Voice of the United Arab Emirates radio station, which launches that morning.

According to Al Ittihad: “Sources say that the new station will be among the most influential stations in the Gulf area. It will mainly focus on affairs relating to the new union, along with the accomplishments of the United Arab Emirates as a nation.”

Sheikh Zayed reads the Treaty of Friendship, watched by (from left) James Treadwell and Sir Geoffrey Arthur of Britain. On his other side are Sheikh Rashid of Dubai and Sheikh Khalid of Sharjah. Behind him are Ahmed al Suwaidi, Mahdi al Tajir and Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid. Courtesy Al Ittihad
A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OLD COUNTRY
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty of Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the 
Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations. 
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage educational, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges. 
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relations already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty. 
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed 
Geoffrey Arthur          Sheikh Zayed

11AM Immediately afterward, the Supreme Council, formed of all six rulers, meets in a private session.

It elects Sheikh Zayed as President of the United Arab Emirates for five years. Sheikh Rashid is elected Vice President and his son, Sheikh Maktoum, becomes the country’s first Prime Minister.

The Supreme Council also discusses its relations with Britain and authorises the signing of a Friendship Treaty with Britain.

11.30AM (APPROX) The leaders move outside, to be joined by delegates, guests and a throng of media.

The flag is formally handed to Sheikh Zayed by Mahdi al Tajir and raised for the first time while a 21-gun salute is fired.

Sheikh Faisal bin Sultan Al Qassimi, then Under Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Defence Force, recalls: “I was standing facing Sheikh Zayed as the flag was raised.

“I was from Abu Dhabi but at that moment I felt I was from the UAE. Wherever you were from, at least at that point you had the flag to give you unity.”

Al Mehairbi remembers the expression on Sheikh Zayed’s face as the flag was attached to the staff for the first time. “There was something you saw in his eyes. He is thinking now: ‘Okay. We are independent now.’ That is what he said in the majlis later. ‘We are independent now.’ You know. Like when you have a dream and you wake up. But this was real. His eye was on the flag. You can see it in his face. It is not the face of protocol. It is natural. His expression said, ‘This is done. This is my dream. This is the flag’. ”

“I was just behind Sheikh Zayed when the flag was rising,” says al Qudsi, with Abu Dhabi TV. “Sheikh Zayed said: ‘Bismillah [in the name of Allah]’ as he started pulling the rope up and then others helped to raise it higher. Once it was up, there was great applause and everyone started to congratulate each other, the visitors, media people, officials and sheikhs. Everyone was happy.”

After the flag raising, the six Rulers are gathered around the pole by Ramesh Shukla, Sheikh Rashid’s royal photographer.

“When the first flag of the UAE, made in the UAE, to symbolise us as a united country, went up, people were hugging each other that we were finally together. I never thought even in my dreams that I would help capture the history of this place.”

PRESIDENT NIXON SENDS A GREETINGFROM Embassy of the United States in London, via telegram SUBJECT Recognition of United Arab Emirates. The following presidential message is for delivery to Shaykh Zayid of Abu Dhabi as President of the United Arab Emirates upon the formal establishment of that federation: “His Highness Shaykh Zayid bin Sultan al-Nuhayan, President of the United Arab Emirates. Your Highness: to you, the Government, and the people of the United Arab Emirates I am pleased to extend my warm congratulations and those of the American people on the occasion of the independence of your states and the formation of a union. In welcoming the establishment of the United Arab Emirates, I look forward to cooperative and amicable relations between our two governments, building the friendship which has long characterised the relationship between our peoples. With very best wishes. Sincerely, Richard Nixon.” Mahdi Al Tajir hands the flag to Sheikh Zayed for the first time. Courtesy Al Ittihad 11.30AM (ABU DHABI) News of the formation of the nation is relayed to officials at Al Manhal Palace by radio, where an identical flag raising ceremony takes place, watched by dignitaries and guests who include Umm Kulthum.

Mohammed al Fahim, an Abu Dhabi businessman, is among those witnessing the ceremony. “I didn’t know what was happening, and just saw a red and white flag being replaced by a colourful one. I realised later what a privilege it was to witness the raising of our flag, and how lucky I was,” he remembers.

He recalls Umm Kulthum as gracious to everyone, smiling and congratulating Sheikh Khalifa, who, as Crown Prince, had remained in Abu Dhabi, and the Emiratis. “She was patriotic, and so she was genuinely happy with the formation of the UAE.”

NOON The British delegation, headed by Sir Geoffrey Arthur, and with James Treadwell and Julian Walker, is waiting in the British political agency by The Creek in Dubai. They receive a formal request to come to the beach majlis.

Sir Geoffrey takes up the story in his official report published in early 1972. “We went to Jumeirah at noon, to be greeted by a scene of astonishing confusion in the small semi-circular room in which the Supreme Council of the UAE and their advisors had assembled.

“As I sat down on the right of the President, journalists, photographers, television cameramen and others surged forward and climbed onto the table on which the treaty was to be signed.

“My deputy [Walker] narrowly escaped a boot on his hand, and my First Secretary who was carrying the treaty, needed skill in rugby football rather than diplomacy that day.”

Of the day, Walker now recalls: “There was a fair amount of excitement but in a way we had already got there. The big achievement and the big relief was the signing of the constitution on July 18.”

THE LEADERS MOVE OUTSIDE, THE FLAG IS FORMALLY HANDED TO SHEIKH ZAYED BY MAHDI AL TAJIR AND RASIED FOR THE FIRST TIME. A 21-GUN SALUTE IS FIRED.

12.30PM (APPROX) The official proceedings then adjourn. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum reads a proclamation from his father: “Agreements were signed to terminate the special contractual relations between each of our emirates. In this historic meeting we witness the declaration of the establishment of the United Arab Emirates as an independent and sovereign state. The aim of the new state is to provide a better life and stability for the nation, protect the rights and freedom of its citizens, achieve close cooperation among the emirates for their common good and to achieve development and progress in all fields, look forward to joining the Arab League and United Nations, keep in line with the Islamic causes and interests, consolidate friendship and cooperation with all friendly nations, which is based on the principles of the United Nations charter and international agreements.”

Ahmed al Suwaidi, soon to become Foreign Minister, reads the proclamation of the UAE. Courtesy Al Ittihad

Sheikh Hamdan added: “At these historic moments, as our nation in particular and the world in general is waiting for the decisions of this meeting, I pray to God to direct us to the right path, and to help us achieve our aims in this meeting.”

Waiting with the crowds at the gates of the majlis is Taru Shukla, whose husband, Ramesh, is photographing the event.

“I was to wait for him to collect the films and take them back for developing as soon as possible,” she remembers. After three hours, Ramesh emerged and handed over more than a dozen rolls of film to his wife, who made her way back to the studio to start developing them, while he returned briefly to the majlis to take more photographs.

Al Mehairbi remembers Sheikh Zayed surrounded by a throng of international media who bombarded him with questions. After the failure of other Arab unions, including the United Arab Union between Egypt and Syria, many Arab journalists were sceptical that the United Arab Emirates would survive for more than a few months.

The new President responds to their questions calmly, telling them: “I wish now that you could see us after one year. Then you will see.”

Local journalists are less sceptical. “Every journalist, TV man and photographer was proud to be covering it,” says al Q udsi. “They shared the happiness and the feeling it brought with it.”

While there are no official celebrations outside the gates of Union House, residents of Dubai share the optimism. Deena Motiwalla moved to Dubai with her husband, Bomi, in 1970. They lived on the edge of The Creek in Deira. “We all felt that it was a very good thing that they were going to make a country. We felt very patriotic, even though we came from India, because there was such a welcome for everybody at that time. “Despite that, we took the events in our stride – and never thought that the signing of the treaty was a historic moment – just that it was good that the country was getting together. “On the day itself we didn’t go along to Union House after all. I don’t remember exactly why – it was only going to be the sheikhs and we often saw them anyway – especially Rashid, who would often drive around, always sitting in the front seat, and if we were downstairs he would wave and say hello as he passed. We did go along a couple of days afterwards to see the new flagpole, though.”

Len Chapman, then living in Dubai, remembers: “I lived in Jumeirah Beach Road in those days, not far from the Summer Palace. We went to have a look. A small crowd surrounded the roundabout outside the Palace, but there was not much to see. The dignitaries drove out in their cars at the end of the event. After that life went back to normal. ”
sub-docs Among those watching the raising of the flag at Al Manhal Palace are Sheikh Khalifa and Umm Kulthum. Mohammed al Fahim, the author of Rags to Riches, is also in the group. The officers’ salutes are left-handed because the original photograph was published back to front. Courtesy Al Ittihad JOINING THE UN A communiqué dated December 2, 1971, from Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates to U Thant, secretary general of the United Nations:
“I have the honour to submit on behalf of the United Arab Emirates this application for membership of the United Nations in accordance with Article 4 of the United Nations Charter.
I would be grateful if you would place this application before the Security Council and the General Assembly at the earliest opportunity.”

AFTERNOON The six leaders are reported to have received well-wishers in Sheikh Rashid’s majlis before travelling to Zabeel Palace for lunch, while the reporters departed to file their stories. “I went back to Abu Dhabi at 2pm, and most of the media people as well,” says al Qudsi. “We had to work on our material and prepare our 9pm news of the same day. I was honoured to read material of the declaration of that day.” EVENING Some recall that Sheikh Zayed spent the night in Dubai. Al Mehairbi says Sheikh Zayed went to his residence at Al Khawaneej, informally receiving congratulations before returning to Abu Dhabi later.

This version of events is also supported by al Fahim, whose father was a member of the Abu Dhabi party in Dubai and who did not return to the new capital for several days. Al Ittihad reports Sheikh Zayed’s return to Abu Dhabi after “the historic meeting”. He was greeted by Sheikh Khalifa, the Al Nahyan sheikhs and members of the public who cheered and applauded him. Once he stepped out of the plane, he repeated thrice: ‘Praise to Allah for all His graces.’ After shaking hands with his well-wishers, he got into the car, off to his palace.”

http://multimedia.thenational.ae/historyproject/?page_id=4 I do not own any of the above