Sharjah: A book called Sand Huts and Salty Water: The Story of Abu Dhabi’s First Schoolteacher has been launched at the 35th Sharjah International Book Fair, providing a window into life in Abu Dhabi almost six decades ago.
Written by Ahmad Khateeb, a Jordanian national who came to Abu Dhabi in 1958 to set up a school for children, the book contains anecdotes and rare pictures of what was then a sleepy town by the sea.
A number of his students, who include Abu Dhabi royalty, have become prominent Emiratis. If fact, the book was launched last Saturday by business magnate Mohammad Al Fahim, a student of the first Al Falaheyyah School in Abu Dhabi.
Al Fahim also launched the Polish edition of his book From Rags to Riches: A Story of Abu Dhabi at SIBF.
Speaking during the simultaneous launch of the two books, Al Fahim recalled how Khateeb had left suddenly after his pioneering teaching role in 1960, with no word or contact for years. Decades later, in 1996, when Al Fahim presented From Rags to Riches for approval to the Ministry of Culture and Information, he got a phone call.
“I am speaking from the ministry”, the voice said. “Did you mention a name on page 61?” it asked.
Al Fahim confessed he had to read the page to understand it. “Well”, said the voice, “I am that person! I am the teacher who taught you, who you wrote about. I am the one who is to give the approval for your book!”
Al Fahim said he convinced Khateeb to write his book, adamant that it would be an eye-opener for residents more familiar with modern UAE.
