It’s been a week of celebrations and remembrance across the country so we decided it was time to take a look at some of the must-read books about the UAE as suggested by a cross-section of people in the region. Here are their top picks:
Iman Ben Chaibah, CEO of Sail Publishing
The collection of biographies by Sheikh Sultan Al-Qasimi, ruler of Sharjah.
He narrates in the books the history of Sharjah from his perspective and gives the reader a sense of some facts that aren’t well documented elsewhere.
Margit Muller, Director of the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
From Rags to Riches: A Story of Abu Dhabi by Mohammed Al Fahim
This book highlights the rapid development from the earliest days of the trucial states to a modern city and emirate which provides deep insight in the history of Abu Dhabi.
Isobel Abdulhoul, CEO and Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation and Festival Director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger
This book records Thesiger’s extraordinary journey through the “Empty Quarter” of Arabia. Travelling among the peoples, his account differed from those before him, as he integrated into the society of the time and the culture of the ancient Bedouin tribes. I was given a copy of this book when I first came to Dubai in 1968 and it is an essential read for anyone living in Arabia today, as much as it was all those years ago.
Ali Al Saloom, UAE cultural adviser and public speaker
The Oasis, by Gertrude Dyck
Aside from my own book, Ask Ali — A mini guide to Abu Dhabi, The Oasis is a wonderful book which truly takes you on a journey of how we went from the old good difficult days to a better today. I really enjoyed it and felt like I was taken back to those precious days of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Zayed.
Najla Al Shamesi, director general of the Arab Reading Challenge
Two Heroic Leaders by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
This book was written by Sheikh Mohammed for the children of UAE about the history of the union and Sheikh Zayed (may his soul RIP). It is definitely a must-read and is part of the Arab Reading Challenge.
Nasif Kayed, General Manager of The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
My Vision by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
As its name suggests, this book is one man’s vision and road map to great leadership qualities, inspiration to the rise of a nation, and aspirations for the future. It is also a wonderful perspective on the history of Muslims, Arabs and their contributions to civilisation. I do believe this book gives the reader the ability to see that nothing is impossible with determination, that caring for others means understanding and having their best interest in mind, and that doing good brings about good in others.
Yasser Elsheshtawy, the curator of the next UAE national pavilion at the Venice Biennale
Arabian Days by Edna O’Brian
This book, which was published in1977, captures in uncompromising detail the countries rise from an impoverished past to its current status as a world class destination. It describes Abu Dhabi’s frantic construction in the early 1970s, and offers a rare glimpse into how these changes affected the city’s inhabitants. In a very poetic language she evokes the conflicts and contradictions that have accompanied this rapid urbanisation.
