Chapter : 1

United Arab Emirates Society

General Information:
1- Ancient Name: Trucial Coast of Oman.
2- 1507: Occupied by Portages.
3- 1820: Britain occupied the area.
4- 1971: Get Independence from Britain.
5- UAE: Consisting of Seven Emirates.
6- Capital: Abu Dhabi.
7- Area: 83,600 Km2.
8- Population:10,000,000.
9- National People: 11.5%.
10- Expatriates: 88.5%.
The Originality of UAE Society and its Main Characteristics

1- Introduction:
Every individual has his own distinct character which can never
be repeated completely.

The same can be said about each group of people who has their
own distinct characteristics and behavior.

When we study societies we can identify certain features, its

spirit and the social elements of its heritage as we explained in
the previous chapters where we talked about a group of people
forming the structure of the society and settling on a particular
area in a specific time.

Certain relations, values and concepts are expected to be

established. This would give them a special identity to make
distinct from the other societies.

The identity of Emirates Society, for instance, is different from

the French, Chinese or Indiansocieties.

2-The Environment, Activities and characteristics

of UAE Society:

Before the discovery of oil, the Emirates Society used to be

Nomadicand Maritime Society associated with the desert and
the sea.
The two environments had an obvious effect on the formation of
its nature, social and cultural character.
We can say that the Emirates Society was affected by three
environments:

A- The desert environment.

B- The Maritime environment.
C- The industrial environment.
Now we will look into the details of these environments in the
following way:
A- The desert environment.
Desert land covers one third of Emirates, inhabited by a
number of people of Emirates who are torn between Nomadic
life on one hand, and the desire to settle down on the other ,
according to circumstances which enforce one or the other based
on availability of resources especially water.

In this study of the Nomadic tribes in Emirates,Lowry

Moorexplains that the area where the tribe settles determines the
type of trade they practice.

If the tribe was dispersed different areas such as oases or coastal

centers or open desert, they would take on farming, fishing or
grazing.
The nomadic phenomenon in Emirates is about to be extinct
as the government policy has been taken to settle them since the
discovery of oil and the beginnings of the growth projects.

A long-term ambitious plan was carried out to settle the

Bedouins by establishing residential complexes with complete
services and facilities.

So that we need to assert that settling the Bedouins is one of the

most distinct modern social characteristics in the UAE.

The citizens of the Emirates in most cases belong to Nomadic

tribes originally coming from the desert according to the
following way;

Categorization of the Bedouins of Emirates:

We can categorize Bedouins in Emirates according to the degree

of settlement each group does:

1-Migrant Bedouins:(Nomadic)
They keep moving from one place to another all year. They
occupy massive areas and they graze animals such as the tribes
of AL -Awamer and AL -Manaseer.

2-Semi migrant Bedouins:(Semi Nomadic)

They swing between Nomadic life style and Settlement Style.
Most of the Bedouins in Emirates are like that, and they mostly
gather near the oases and water centers near the plains.
There are repeated economic cycles in their lives.
During the dry seasons, for instance, they move to the villages in
the oases and start taking on farming and fishing, and then they
return back again to Nomadic life style when their living
standard improves. The tribes of Bani Qatab and AL- Awamer
represent this type.

3-The Seasonal Migrant Bedouins;(Quarterly

Nomadic)
They move from the top of the mountains during the summer to
the plain in winter. This type of tribe is represented by AL-
Shohooh in Ras Al Khaima and Dibba.

The Effect of Desert on the Bedouin:

The desert provides a special life style for its inhabitants based
on the economic and social environments.

The moral factor here is dependent on the factor of adapting

with the social environment; the factors can be explained like
this;
Freedom,Bravery,Honesty and Religiousness are some of
these factors.

Migrant style of life gives Bedouin the sense of Independence

and the sense of Freedom.
The Bedouin is renowned for his bravery in resisting the foreign
invasion.
Bravery and Patience are qualities obtained from the daily life
circumstances such as danger of nature and humans.

Numerous values were nurtured in the environment of the

Arabian Peninsula.

They were distinguished from other similar geographical

environments because such values data back to Prophet Ibrahim.

They also survived and continued to progress within great Islam

values extending highly impressive civilization and cancelling
any distortion to the humanity of human.

Generosity is a quality associated with the desert. It is part and

parcel of the literature of the area as a necessity for the social
perfection and a means to achieving environmental perfection.

Other qualities such as Freedom, Bravery besides Isolation led

to the development of HighSelf-Esteem, were molded by
innate generosity and Islamic values as well as the Prophet
Mohamed (peace be upon him).

Bin Khaldoon says:

The desert people are closer to the good values than

city people, as they are instinctively closer to nature
and they are protected against the evil traits;
Similarly, to what has been mentioned earlier about the
Emiratesgood attributes, for instance, the way the tribes in the
Emirates stood firm against the Portuguese and the British
invasions.

In fact, this perseverance was deeply rooted to the fighting spirit

and sacrifice and rejection of injustice as set in motion by Islam.

A manifestation of the desert influence is the popular dancing

and singing.

Al Arrada, for instance, is a war dance symbolizing all forms of

fighting and has been performed to empress either preparation
for war or celebration of victory.

B- Sea Environment:
Since people began to sail and since they began to know secrets
of the sea, they used it for trade and as a more reliable means of
transport than the ordinary caravans.

The sea influence has become more effective than the land to the
point where navigation spread to the deep seas and open oceans.

Ships also grew larger in size and faster in speed and relied on
sails no more.

The duality of environments in the Emirates demonstrated

itself in a poor land incapable of providing the necessities of life,
and more generous maritime sector offering those more
supplies.
They consequently headed towards the sea.
They acquired the maritime skills and they excelled when they
remarkably practiced navigation.

The Gulf area, however, has developed tremendously after the

oil discovery and the increase in production as an extremely
commodity for worldwide modern life.

The ruins at UM Alnnar Island and AL-Qasis area indicate that

since the ancient times the State of Emirates had a very active
role in sea trade, which is still obvious till this day.

We, therefore, can safely say that the trade activities which have
practiced by the people of this area were a major cause for the
growth of the civilized centers.

Since the old times, the inhabitants of the Emirates had links
with Eastern Africa and South Asia.

Ahmad Bin Majid, for instance, traveled in ships crossing the

Gulfand the Ocean to land at the Eastern African coasts.

That is why the sons inherited love of trade and the love of
acting as mediators from their forefathers as part of their daily
business transactions, assisted by their strategic situation of their
country between the East and the West.

Sea life affected greatly the Emirates society.

The Travel Season (Safar), as well as Diving Season(Ghows)
indicate how the people of Emirates lived very active times
preparing the ships and raising money for the sailors going in
these voyages.

They used to buy what they might need for the voyages and
provide their homes with enough supplies to sustain their
families during their absence.

The Effect of Sea Life on Inhabitant’s Life;

The geographical situation urged people to look into sea life as a

source of living.

Many economic actives were associated with the sea. They took
on trades such as Building ships, Fishing,Diving for pearls and
trade.
1- Ship Construction:
Building Ships boomed before the discovery of the oil and after
because the economic activities were linked to the sea such as
Diving, Fishing and Trading with Africa and Asia.

They brought teak-wood necessary for the construction of ships,

as well as ropes and candles from India.

They constructed traditional ships like:

Bougla, Boos, Sinbuk, Zarook, Jalbut, Shooi,
Bateel, Hoori and AL- Kate.
Other industries were associated with ship-building such as
Rows making, Sails and Knits.

2- Fishing:
As a result of scarcity of food, people turned to the sea.

The neighboring markets where in the dire need for food, for
fish as animals feed or as fertilizers.

The people of Emirates fish near the sea shore using Hydras,
Shads, Mider and deferent types of nets such as Labikh,Sur,
Taroof, Saliyya, Kuffa and Karkur.

Each type of these Nets is used according to the type of fish

available.
3- Pearl Diving:
Pearl Diving, locally known as Ghows,isconsidered to be a
traditional trade which was practiced by the Emirates long time
ago.
It represented a major source of income till the thirties of the 20 th
century when oil was discovered.

Allah (God) bestowed on this nation with suitable climate

conditions to allow for the growth of pearl particularly in the
Western side of Ras Al Khaima to Abu Ali Island situated to
the north of Ras Tannora near the Saudi coast.
Pearl shores can be found within distance of 70 mile away and
12 feet deep, each Pearl area is called (Heer).

The Pearl Diving Professional Organization:

Diving for pearl, as a profession, can be divided into two

categories;
A- Finance Suppliers:
They prepare the fishing fleet and support the diver’s families
during their diving trips.

Suppliers had the upper hand over the whole operation.

B- Working Category:

It includes everyone working on the ship besides of course the

Nokhaza (Captain).

This category can also be subdivided into the following:

1- Captains (Nokhathas) :
Who know the secrets of the trade, particularly the pearl areas?
In most cases he owns the ship and sometimes he hires her.

He has the sole power over the ship.

2-Divers:
They go deep down to look for shells.
Mostly, they were liberated slaves, blacks, Blushes or rarely
from the high ranking tribal young men.

3-Shiyoub:
They pull ropes and they lift divers from the sea bed. Just like
the Raseef, they are less-ranking.

Raseef, however, could become divers or Shiyoub later on.

4-Atta ban:
The young apprentices who learn the trade and in return they
work in catching fish and preparing the food on the ship.

Different types of ships were used for diving, but the most
common were the Simbuk, Batell, Bakkara or AL Shiuoa.

The job required between 10-25 men on each ship.

The Effect of the Diving Season on the Emirates

Society:

There were several effects that can be summarized in the

following way;
1-Shopping market boom before diving season. The sailors
supply their families with food and clothes beside the food
supply for the ships.

2-When ships are away looking for pearls, life is quite.

However, city and trade become lively again.

3-They had strong mutual relationships and the word of honor

was accepted to complete business transactions.

4-The family members were many and they obeyed and

respected the head of the family.

5-Cooperative society which can be exemplified by the

collaborative manner of sailors on the ship. This cooperative
spirit is taken from the Great Islamic Values. When people stand
by one another in good times and in hard times such as failure to
find pearls or when the ship sinks.

6-Seafaring and Diving are expressed in the various forms of

arts such as literature, songs, proverbs, anecdotes and children’s
plays.
 Pearls Trade:
It is a very complex trade which normally took place in Dubai,
Bahrain or Bombayand was run by middlemen, brokers and
merchants.

The size of the trade depends on different factors such as the

size and the quality of the pearl’s layers besides the
craftsmanship of the merchant and the amount of supply in the
Gulf in general.

The estimated market value of pearls in the AUE in the year

1950 was about Eight Million Rupees.

Any sailor who came upon a large pearl when opening a shell
used to be financially rewarded.

C- Industrial Environment:
The poor desert land affected greatly the Emirates Society. This
pushed them towards seafaring which was not very much better.
Allah (God) had ordained to give them wealth.

In fact, they patiently clung to the land until they were

eventually endowed with the precious treasures buried in their
land, Oil.

Oil turned everything upside down.

The production of oil, in some Emirates, caused a drastic

change I life and economy and turned over all the material side
of life like clothes, buildings, streets, amnesties, food, etc. as
well as the non-material side such as habits, customs and social
rules.

Characteristics of Change in the UAE Society:

1-The initiation of relatively bigger cities and move of Bedouins

from the desert to urban areas where government offices, job
and services were concentrated.

2-Migration from Gulf,Arabic and Islamic countries as well as

foreign countries and the formation of non-Arab countries.
3-The emergence of markets and work firms.
4-Work, jobs and education began to be shared out by women
and woman’s organizations began to emerge.
5-The speared of culture and the means of society development
and its effect in formulating individual’s values, tendencies and
awareness.
6-The spread of education, educational private and
governmental institutions in Urban and Rural areas.
7-The increase of individual’s income and the improvement of
standard of living.
This resulted in increase in relocation due to the increase in
Health and Social Services.

Cultural Factors:
From the previous information and study we realize how the
individual moves from one group to dealing with other
individuals and acquiring the characteristic of socialization.

Furthermore, the individual acquires through his social life

means and ways of life or what we call the social heritage.

The social heritage can be dividing into two parts:

First:
The non-material side or culture, which includes Religion,
Language,Customs,VariousSocial Values and Regulations.

Second:

Material side or civilization which includes the tangible things

we perceive through our senses, such as Buildings, Clothes,
Machines and the means of Transport.

Culture and Civilization are closely tied together.

There is no doubt that heritage is the human wealth and its

cultural capital and various groups contributed in its build-up for
the sake of defining themselves against hardships.
The UAE Heritage and Its Originality:
His Highness Sheikh Zayed said:
A nation without roots is deficient of the originality factor.
He also said:

The originality of our heritage combines the originality of the

past with the magnificence of our generation’s aspirations for
the future.

Our generation is keen to embracing the past as it is the torch

lighting the present in order for the society to keep the glamour
and the originality of the heritage.

He also said:
Nations are not judged by their material wealth alone, but rather
by the authenticity of heritage.

A civilized approach is what we want for our country.

This approach reassures the relation of religion as well as taking

pride in Arabic and Islamic authentic traditions, on one hand,
with the society on the other.

Furthermore, He says:
A nation without a past has no present or future.
He (Sheikh Zayed) the Establisher and the Leader
Says:
Our thinking about the past and the lessons extracted from it
besides thinking about the present, our future aspiration, and the
glamorous hopes for the future; all should lead us continuously
to the building of our nation and its progress.

Since the beginning of the recorded history, the Arab

MuslimBedouin took pride in the area’s social traditions which
formulated each tribe and the fields of work and expression.

The Bedouin, further, had to create the situation that would help
to survive.

In turn, he had a duty to transfer his experience in dealing with

nature and to the following generations as the past and present
relate the relationship to the human being with nature.
The origins of the population in Emiratesgoes back to the Arab
Bedouins and to their desert which gave birth to the knight on
horsebacks, carrying whit them the good ethics embodied in
generosity, self-sacrifice, bravery and pride.

We can see diversity in the population in the Emirates; there are

the people who live in the desert, the people who farm the land
in the oases, the people in the slopes of the mountains and the
people who fish and live on the sea shores and near the costal
ports.

This environmental and demographic diversity express the fact

that the Bedouin in all cases belong to the same pack of ethics,
traditions and thoughts.

The Emirates Society is proud of its originality and everything

bequeathed from its social heritage including customs, social
regulations and indispensable values.

Like any other society in the world, the Emirates Society

witnesses various structural changes affecting the social
functions of individuals and group such as the social regulations
related to the family and the tribe.

Such changes are strong enough to affect the heritage and

originality which might obliterate the identity.

This is a battle field for the society, facing the originality of the
past with all its respect, appreciation and pride for the
forefathers and their historic role and their creative participation
in the making of the various aspects of civilization’s behavior
and the subsequent effects of mimicking the in-coming cultures,
as well as the direct pressures of social change and its effects
and the change in values, all these led to the emergence of
dichotomies of values, have emerged.

The Emirates Society lives a civilization shift and faces huge

cultural challenges.

At the same time, it is a developing society which makes it

susceptible to influence easily.

So, the state departments and individuals should be saw are of

this and work towards maintaining of the social and cultural
identity of this society besides maintaining its originality by
adhering to the original heritage and reviving the forefather’s
values.

Taking pride in originality should not be based on building

museums and arts galleries as well as showing off the past.

The good work, productivity and good behavior should

represent this originality.

As any other Arab Muslim society, the Emirates

Societyinitiated and developed on its homeland.

This homeland embodied the society’s sufferings and

aspirations.
The sense of belonging is inherent and ingrained in people’s
blood and soul ever since they realized the value of their
homeland.

The people were exposed to all sorts of sufferings; however,

they would never ignore their national duties.

The people’s national aim is to participate in the building of the

nation’s growth.

Every society would take its behavioral attitudes from the

environment they live in, affected by it and affecting it,
particularly, the social behavior we are about to explore.

Any behavior should fall under the effect of historical

progression throughout time whether it was due to internal
factors arising from within the society or external factors
imposed upon them due to communication and due to the dire
daily life needs of the society.

If we explored the behavior related to social life in Emirates

we would discover that it was affected by three factors and they
are the originality, the conservative approach and the union
entity and development.

The foreside three factors defined the social perimeters which

the society lived and still living within.

These factors shaped its customs and traditions the society

inherited from the forefathers.
Fore along time they permanently though about strengthening
the ties between the remote Emirates for the sack of forming the
social links.

Therefore, they looked to unification to achieve its aspirations.

Moreover, the idea of unification remained pressing on to

ensure the depth of Social Bond amongst the individuals of the
state wherever they come from or whether they were
Bedouinsor city people, living in the countryside or people
living on the mountains or people living in the coastal areas.

The interest is in communication and building rather than the

interest in the place itself.

They realized the need to work and think together to build a

modern state, with original characteristics not oblivious to the
past.
This state would not be satisfied with little hopes, but with
building a flourishing future.
 The Major Characteristics
of the UAE Society:
1-Language as a Unifying Factors:

Language is a major factor that supports the political unity.

Language reflects the society’s customs and traditions.

Above all it records the cultural heritage and the different

experiences including forefather’s literature and their life style.

2-Religious Unity:
Islamic religion endowed the spiritual unity on the culture of the
society.
Undoubtedly, their unification through Islam would mean
unification in customs and traditions and life style.

This would insure a coherent unity.

Consequently, religious and spiritual unity forms a major

characteristic of the society, had such characteristic been
affordable to any society, it would ensure a more stable political
life and would ensure its continuity; taking into consideration
that Islam calls for unity:
(Cling thee to the rope of God and do not disperse.

3-Human Homogeneity:

The Emirates Society is distinguished by clinging to

homogeneity and rapprochement assisted by the geographical
factors which facilitated communication and mixing.

The human unity, therefore, formed an important factor in the

society’s characteristics.

It should be mentioned at this context that race homogeneity

dates back deep in history and, therefore, the society has never
been afflicted with racial discrepancies all through history.
Although the society is formed of northern and southern tribes,
yet the society never met lineage discrepancy. So, we can say,
then.

The people of Emirates sprang from the Arabian Peninsula and

they have been deeply bonded to it throughout history.

In fact, the idea is not to assert the homogeneity of one race.

On the contrary, what we are trying to explain is that it is not an
inharmonious society and mainly it is a relationship based on a
variety of kinship.

We, however, believe that the unity of a society cannot rely on

pure linear kinship but on social intimacy, spiritual closeness
and being merciful towards one another.

All ensue from our common belief in common aims and one
nation besides having a sense of belonging to one heritage and
one culture.

4-Historical and Fate Unity:

Emirates Society’s Historical characteristics were embodied

along history as the people witnessed positive as negative
events, affecting them and portraying their feelings and
emotions.

When we explore the historical circumstances, we discover that

the people of Emirates enjoyed some flourishing periods of
time.
They also went through hard times during economic recession.
They were all, however, united under the ordeal of the
imperialist era which was the cause for enduring weakness,
partition and retardation.

No wonder why attempts were made to annihilate fragmentation

and restore cohesiveness.

As soon as the imperialists left the area, the unifying factors

began to emerge rapidly.

This was the result for the formation of the union later on.
Undoubtedly, the people of Emirates were keen to assert
their national unity, a manifestation of their belief in the
common fate.

We can say, then, the common historical experience plays an

important role in the coherence of the society and the
embodiment of its free will to cope with its targets and its
special needs.

5-The Geographical Unity:

It is considered to be one of the important characteristics of the

society.

It is also considered a manifestation of strength of each political

unit.
The geographical closeness would surely lead to more
coherence.

We need to point out at this juncture that the area of the UAE
forms a whole unit.

The geographical features do not impede movement for one

part to the other with ease.

The imperialists realized the importance of geographical

integrity; that is why they never bothered to build a network of
road which would normally achieve speedy communication.

The geographical unity is not limited to human

communication, but it includes other elements such as the
abundant wealth as well as the strategic geographical position
which adds strength and power.

6-Customs and Traditions Unity:

They present the social basis for the customs, the traditions and
the values of the society.

Furthermore, they are considered as a control factor for

behavior and ethics which defines individual’s relations to
enable them to work together.

This unity also, is attributed to the society’s economic, historical

and cultural circumstances.
Since the people of the society have been living similar
circumstances, this led to almost unanimous stance towards
ethical values and behavior, and congruent response to the
external pressures which ultimately would result in social
homogeneity.

There is no doubt that the psychological experience the

Emirates have been through was a major factor in forming their
past, present and future behavior. They take pride inself-
esteem.

It might be helpful to refer to the fact that the Emirates Society

has derived its self-esteem, customs, traditions and social
factors-control from the Arab Islamic civilization.

There might be some slight social difference as a result of the

nature of the environment and the different living styles.

As a matter of fact, the Emirates Society, as we explained

before, is characterized by the diversity of life styles. It is
natural, therefore, to witness a multi-faceted heritage.

The Emirates Society. however, managed to form an integrated

image which expresses its identity and which can be easily
integrated in the Arab and Gulf entity without losing its private
status.
This is because the private status of Emirates does not clash with
any aspect of Pan-Arab Nation’s culture, as it pivots around
Arabic and Islamic bases.
There is no doubt that the homogeneous social bases provide the
Emirates Society with satisfaction, warmth and reassurance.

This can be clearly noticed in weddings traditions, national and

religious celebrations, mourning and dead as well as daily life
buying and selling, entertainment, decoration, sports work, life
style and eating habits.

In fact, all what have been mentioned do represent the customs

and traditions and further represent the dominance of the
original Arab values such as Generosity, Allegiance,Family’s
Values of integration and the attitude towards Honor and
Uprightness?

7-Similarity in the Political Structure:

We can recognize the correspondence and similarity of the

political structure of the Emirates forming the union; for all of
them were established upon corresponding bases and
circumstances.

The agreement they reached does not embodies correspondence

in the political structure only, but it focuses also on the
established strong ties linking the ruling families, such ties
sometimes amount to the ties of kinship.

Ultimately, we may conclude that reaching the political

unification is not attained three the various factors we explained.
We should bear in mind that the political union was a must due
to the security circumstances in the area; furthermore, due to the
growth situation the Emirates Society is heading to whether at
the short term or at the long term.

The historical Roots of the UAE Society and

the Way to the Statehood
1-The historical Roots of the Gulf Societies:

All through history the Gulf area has been occupying a standing
civilization center.

The Gulf had a vital position for navigation and commerce.

Urban centers and cities were established on both sides of the
Gulf and ships loaded with the goods of the East arrived at
these centers to be sent to other countries such as Iraq,
BiladAsh Sham as well as the countries of the Mediterranean
Sea.

Archeologists and historian are keen to study the history of the

area for the sack of clarification and the creation of awareness.

The first human settlements appeared in theGulfarea and

particularly in theEmirates at the end of the Stone Age(i.e.
before 6000 years).

Ruins of these settlements were found in the nearby and the

remote islands (e.g. Delma and Mirwaeh).

In the year 4000 BC, and before 6000 years, man’s connection
with the sea maritime started during the Slave’s Civilization in
Mesopotamian Valley.

During the Bronze Age(3200-1300 BC), the Gulf Emirates

played an integral part in the regional trade by exporting Cooper
and Pearls to the Mesopotamian Empires.

They imported Ivory, Pots and other goods from Afghanistan,

Iran and the Indies Valley.

Furthermore, land and sea played an intrinsic role in the local

economy.

Ruins in Mileeha in Sharjah indicate that there were

commercial ties with Greece in the 3rd Century BC.
 The Fossils found in the Gulf Emirates provide enough h
evidence to prove the existence of well-organized settlers who
inhabited the area in the First Half of the Third Millennium
BC.

Ruins of that era, found in

(I.e. Umm al-Nar, Hafeet, al-Qattara, Heily, Mileeha
and Door, etc.)

Indicate the existence of stable civilization and the existence of

external effects of other civilizations coming from the
neighboring areas, particularly from the Sind Valley, the
Mesopotamian Valley and Iran.

This would assert the fact that the inhabitants in the area worked
in Trade.

Theyplayed the role of middlemen by importing goods and re-

exporting them.

Furthermore, they were skilful in post-making and in making

stone-containers.

They also worked in farming and grazing animals and fishing.

This boom, however, had soon declined in the second
millennium BC, especially in the second part of the second
millennium because of circumstances we know very little about.
This kind of recession affected negatively the various areas of
the Arabian Gulf.
 The road to the statehood:
The unification, as experience, was preceded by long period of
experimentation.

Unification:
1-Projects and Experimentation from 1952-1960
Subsequent to events on the political arena in the Gulf during
that period, some attempts and initiatives to unify the Emirates
of the Coast of Oman were taken.

One of these was the successful British project in 1952. It was

successful and lasted for a long period of time because it came
to serve the British plans and purposes.

The attempt of unifying Sharjah and Fujairah, however, failed

because it did not correspond with the British interests.

2-Unification Experiments during the Period 1968-

1970:

At a time when the British interests increased in the Emirates,

and after the reinforcement of the military British Bases in the
region, many international, local and regional factors forced
Britain to take its historic decision to withdraw from the Gulf.
This withdrawal from the Gulf is considered to be a crucial
event in the history of the UAE: for the Coastal Trucial
Emirates was the first Arab land to be colonized by the British
in 1820.

However, it was the last Arab territory to gain independence

when the British withdrew from it in the year 1971.

After the British withdrawal decision from the Gulf in 1968,

The Emirates faced a pressing issue concerning its new
responsibility resulting from this withdrawal.

Views emerged to comment on what is called (political

andmilitary vacuum) resulting from this withdrawal and the
pressing question was:

Who would be the replacement for filling the vacuum?

This urged the leaders of the Emirates to ponder about their fate
and the interest of people.

Therefore, the idea of establishing a union emerging from the

leaders themselves, without the British interference initiated.
The idea evolved in the following ways:

1-The Reciprocal Union Combining Abu Dhabi &

Dubai February 18, 1968:

The announcement of the British intention to withdraw from the

Gulfand the Emirates was a new incentive urging the Emirate’s
leaders to think seriously of establishing a union to face the new
responsibilities of independence.

Abu Dhabi & Dubai were the First to take action.

Therefore, the first initiative was February 18, 1968.

The Two Leaders His Highness the late Sheikh ZayedBin
Sultan AL Nahyan&His Highness SheikhRashid Bin Saeed
AL Maktoum met in Samha, situated on the borders between
the two Emirates, for the sake of discussing the new situation.

This meeting led signing a reciprocal agreement between both

leaders, known as (Dubai ReciprocalAgreement) which is
considered to be the primal core of Emirates Unification.

This agreement was completed after one month of the

announcement of the British withdrawal.

The agreement stipulated the following two issues:

1-Forming a union combining the Two Emirates, supervising

external affairs, defense, security, medical care and
education, etc. the Union should be given the legislative
authority in the state beside any mutual affairs to be considered
and agreed upon.

2-Both leaders agreed to call the other Emirates to discuss the

union issue and to take part in it, then to call the Rulers of
Qatar & Bahrain to discuss the future of the area and agree
upon a unified action to safeguard the future.
The Nonagon Union (of the Nine-Emirates) experience
in February 27, 1968:

After the Reciprocal Agreement held between the Rulers of Abu

Dhabi & Dubai, the Union idea started to march towards
persistent maturity. There were a series of expanded meetings.

The Two Rulers of Dubai & Abu Dhabi called the other Rulers
of the Trucial Emirates as well as the Tow Rulers of Qatar &
Bahrain, for the first meeting which took place in Dubai in
February 5, 7 and 20, 1968.

The joint statement issued by the leaders stipulated the

establishment of the Arab Emirates Union, aiming at
strengthening cooperation, unifying the foreign policy and
reinforcing the collective defense policy.

The statement also producing a permanent and comprehensive

charter for the Union as a desired step towards ensuring stability
in the region.

Most of the Arab countries approved the Nine GulfUnion.

The Union, however, was sharply disapproved by some Arab
countries such as Syria, Algeria and Yemen.

The Iranian Government also opposed the establishment of the

Union.
 In an official statement they refused to recognize the Union of
the Emirates, and the joining of the Bahrain would never stop
Iran’s perpetual demand for annexing Bahrain.

The Union Supreme Council held several meetings to agree on

a formula, but to no avail due to the obstinate opposition of
some ambitious members, desire to play a major role in the
Union’s organization. The Nine Rulers, therefore, failed to
form the Union for the following reasons:

1-The Ambiguity of the Union Agreement:

The agreement stipulated, the establishment of the Union,

setting down the independence as well as autonomy of each
Emirate.
This meant that the Council had to bring about a legal document
to counterbalance two conflicting issues which can be achieved
either by feeble agreements.

2- Qatar & Bahrain:

Both successively announced independence after the failure of
the Nine Ruler’s talks.
When the Shah of Iran announced in January 1969 that he
would not use force in claiming the Island of Bahrain, and that
he would leave it the people of Bahrain to self-determent their
future, the case of Bahrain independence was discussed in the
UN in May 11, 1970.
In August 14, 1971Bahrain announced its Independence.
Qatar immediately followed suit and announced independence
in September 1971, and terminated the special treaties tying the
country with Britain.
Both countries, Qatar & Bahrain withdraw simultaneously
from the Nonagon Union.

The failure of the Nonagon Union;

The idea was to focus on Heptagon Union comprising the
Seven Emirates of the Coast ofOman. The birth of the United
Arab Emirates was declared in December theSecond1971.

The Establishment of the UAE in 1971:

The Union movement passed through several stages and
evolved into different forms.

Some of these forms were suggested from an imperialist stance

by Britain to allow for maintaining its entity in the area.

The other form from sprang from the rulers desire to gather
together sustaining a unified stance and plan.

Whatever the form of the union might be, it reflects the concept
of unity which existed throughout history.

The roots have been there deeply rooted in history, but the
imperialist dominance hindered its realization.
The emergence of the UAE rectified the state of partition which
the imperialists were keen to keep for the sake of ensuring their
supremacy the longest time possible.

So, it was not a surprising phenomenon; on the contrary, the

Emirates existed within unified geographical and historical
framework.

In fact, the Union was established for the purpose of creating a

unified stance to meet various requirements and needs.
The birth of the UAE in December 1971 was a result of the
Arabs continuous aspiring for unity.

It embodied a long process initiated by His Highness the Late

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan AL Nahyan and his brothers the
Rulers of the Emirates.

Since Britain declared her intention to withdraw from the

region before the end of 1971, the Sheikhs began to think in a
very serious manner about the Union because they strongly
believed that the Union would enable to fulfill long term
political and economic aims.

This is due to the opportunities gained from integration;

particularly when the country obtains a unique political and
economic weight.

The Historic Announcement of the UAE Establishment:

In July 18, 1971, the temporary institution of the UAE was
issued. His Highness the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan
ALNahyan, the Ruler of Abu Dhabi was selected as the
President of the Union.

Abu Dhabi was chosen as the contemporary capital of the

Union.

They also agreed on the distribution of the ministerial portfolios.

The independence was announced in Abu Dhabi.

The British Government approved it, and consequently

abolished all the treaties and agreements between the Two
Governments and considered them outdated.

In doing so, Britain lost the main focal positions supporting its
imperialist dominance which lasted for one and a half century.

The Union started with Six Emirates.

The Emirate of Ras al-Khaima declined for few months until

all the hanging issues were finalized. In December 23, a letter
was sent from Ras al-Khaima to the Union seeking approval
for joining it, which was unanimously approved. In February
10, 1972Ras al-Khaima joined the Union officially.

The foundation of the UAE came into being as a result of local,

regional & international concerted effort.

It was an official realization of a factual idea; the people of the

area believed in for so long.
It was an ideal representation of a variety of political, economic,
social religious, historical and geographical factors.

It is a dream that has come true to see the Emirates of the Coast
of Oman unified.
The sincere desire of the wise leadership helped in overcoming
the obstacles and achieving the people’s aspirations.

Thanks to the enormous effort exerted by

His Highness the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan AL Nahyan
and His brotherHis Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin SaeedAL
Maktoum.

Both managed to reduce the differences and move forward from

the state of partition to the state of integration.

Let alone the role played by the Arab countries, specifically the
Gulf countries, in facilitating reaching a general agreement as
to the necessarily of unification to maintain the Arab identity.

The ultimate success was in placing the UAE on the world map
as an independent sovereign country.

The process of change continued, and a brave new era of

prosperity started to the benefit of all the countries of the Arab
World.
The Union State, however, began to have problems such as:

1-Iran seized the three Gulf Islands on the first day the Union
was declared.
2-The borders problems with the neighboring countries.
3-The migration influx which created population imbalance.

Challenges Faced the State:

His Highness the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan realized, from
the first moment of establishing the start that it came as an
embodiment of the people’s will and aspiration, and realized
also that:
1-The big national target achieved was just the beginning of a
long road, and there are substantial challenges awaiting this
fledging country.
2-The individual is the central factor in generating progress.

The government, therefore, was keen in building the individual

and preparing him/her for future tasks needed for the
development of the country.

In fact, if we were to pursue the state activities, mainly as

instructed by HisHighness theLate Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan
AL Nahyan, we would realize the enormity of the efforts made.

Since the establishment of the State, the authorities concerned

took the necessary steps to produce the studies, means and
methods for taking the people to modernity through eradicating
the dominant underdevelopment primarily because of the
hardships related to the British occupation.
The Government Started With the Following Steps;

First:

The Settlement of the Bedouins by providing the

appropriate accommodation for the sake of achieving a proper
Social Growthwith the participation of each individual.

This was associated with great reconstruction of Badiya

(desert) and carrying out rehabilitation projects.

The concept of Growth means building the self-power of the

societies to be able to develop and enhance the self-energy
latent within it.

Second:

Raising the standard of Knowledge and Education;

Based on the belief in the importance of knowledge and

education in formulating the individual, the Government’s
miraculous effort led to the indiscriminate upgrading of the
individual’s level of knowledge and education.
Education and the eradication of illiteracy have become
fundamental targets for this young nation.