Emirati author and researcher records UAE history

Abu Dhabi: Using testimonies from some of the UAE’s most prominent and elderly figures, a three-part historical record of the country’s way of life was launched in the capital on Monday, the Tourism and Culture Authority in Abu Dhabi (TCA-AD) said.

Emirati author and researcher of A Cup of Coffee: The Emirates in the Memory of its Children, Abdullah Abdul Rahman, travelled to many parts of the UAE by car, plane and even on foot to create the detailed historic record of the country.

During his journeys he spoke to older local generations who assisted him in exploring many of the country’s most vital moments up to 100 years prior to the discovery of oil.

“I urge all tourism authorities to focus on the older generation because those are the individuals who will help make clearer the journey of this great country,” Abdul Rahman said at the book launch.

“For accuracy purposes, I relied on multiple sources to obtain the same information to cross-reference my information and not depend on a single source,” he added.

A set of audio recordings of interviews with 18 figures Abdul Rahman spoke to called ‘The audible book’ has also been made available alongside the new printed copy of his work.

The discussions were conducted in the 1980s and the majority of the interviewees are no longer alive.

“To make this important book available again after its printed copies ran out the first time is considered a major step towards achieving the national responsibility which we have towards our society,” said Juma Abdullah Al Qubaisi, deputy director-general of the TCA-AD’s National Library.

“Working on preserving the memories a country has and transmitting that information to generations to come is our main priority where we place new foundations to work in the world of book writing and creating public knowledge,” Al Qubaisi added.