United Arab Emirates Society Assignment

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 Indian societies.

2-The Environment, Activities and characteristics of UAE Society:

Before the discovery of oil, the Emirates Society used to be Nomadic and 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 Moor explains 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.

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 High Self-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 Emirates good 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.

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 Gulf and 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.

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.

Fishing:/p>

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.

Pearl Diving:

Pearl Diving, locally known as Ghows, is considered 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 20th 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;

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.

Working Category:

It includes everyone working on the ship besides of course the Nokhaza (Captain).

This category can also be subdivided into the following:/p>

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.

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.

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.

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 Bombay and 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.

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, Various Social 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 Muslim Bedouin 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 Emirates goes 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 Society initiated 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 Bedouins or 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 in self- 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, Bilad Ash 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 the Gulf area and particularly in the Emirates 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.

They played 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 and military 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 Gulf and 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 Zayed Bin Sultan AL Nahyan & His Highness Sheikh Rashid 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 Reciprocal Agreement) 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:

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.

• 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 Gulf Union.

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, 1971 Bahrain 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 of Oman. The birth of the United Arab Emirates was declared in December the Second 1971.

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 AL Nahyan, 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, 1972 Ras 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 brother His Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed AL 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 His Highness the Late 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 Growth with 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.

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