‘History is our identity': How National Library and Archives safeguards UAE's collective memory for next generations

Al Etihad

08-06-2025

8 June 2025 23:46
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)In the UAE, archives are far more than just collections of old documents - they serve as testaments to the nation's journey, preserving the collective memory that defines its identity, an official of the National Library and Archives (NLA) has said.As the country marks International Archives Day on June 9, Fatima Al Mazrouei, Head of the Historical Archives Department at the (NLA), reflects on how these records connect past, present, and future generations.Speaking to Aletihad, Al Mazrouei said: 'International Archives Day is a very important day, especially in light of the UAE's great heritage and history, which must be preserved, appreciated, and passed on to future generations. This collective memory represents the nation's identity and spirit.'This philosophy, she noted, is rooted in the vision of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who once said: 'A nation without a past is a nation without a present or a future.'While the NLA has made its rich collection of historical documents accessible to the public, Al Mazrouei emphasised that its significance goes beyond mere preservation and display. These documents support the NLA's experts in analysing economic, political, social and cultural developments.'We are studying and analysing [the things that our ancestors left us] - the economic, political, heritage, archaeological aspects … any of these aspects can serve all fields present in the UAE and elsewhere,' Al Mazrouei said. 'We are the guardians of the legacy of the past... The Sheikhs ensured that this legacy is available to researchers, and we are working to realise the UAE vision that history is our identity, and the future is built on the memory of the past.'The media has been an integral part of documenting the country's journey, she added. Aletihad newspaper, for example, released its first issue in 1969 - which meant it was able to capture all the details of the Union when it was formed in 1971, Al Mazrouei said. She recalled visiting private schools and seeing archived issues of the newspaper on classroom walls, a way to remind students about the story of how the country was founded. 'On every occasion, they refer to the first issue of Aletihad newspaper,' she said.
Personal Archives Preserving history is a task not limited to institutions such as the NLA. Every individual can contribute, Al Mazrouei said. 'Everyone has their own archive, and every document has value... We want to instil awareness that what we hold today can become a source of research or documentation tomorrow,' she said. She encouraged people to archive personal items such as old passports and medical cards - as these materials reflect 'a human and social dimension' of the nation's story.To instil a culture of documentation in the youth, the NLA has introduced the Young Historian Award, a national initiative that encourages students to conduct original historical research using proper methodology and trusted sources, including oral narratives.Oral history, she explained, is valuable especially in capturing social practices that are often missing from written records. 'These details - how coffee is served, how children greet guests, or the traditional etiquette - cannot always be found in books or documents. They live in memory, and we collect them through structured interviews with elders from across the Emirates,' Al Mazrouei said.
Archiving Goes Digital In these days of smart technology, archives no longer meant dusty shelves and inaccessible records. Today, the UAE is leading a digital revolution in archival work, harnessing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and high-quality digitisation to bring its rich history to researchers worldwide. Thanks to the country's digital infrastructure, researchers can access these high-quality scans anywhere, Al Mazrouei said. 'Today, researchers can download a document electronically, complete with its source and annotations, without having to travel. This is a qualitative leap that saves time and effort and enhances the credibility of research.'Al Mazrouei described how artificial intelligence is being used to support archiving work: 'AI converts files into text, and images into information... but the most important thing is that the inputs are correct.'This push for digitisation, she noted, is fully aligned with the UAE's sustainable development vision and long-term goals, including preserving resources and supporting environmental protection.
'We grew up with a stereotypical image of archives as boring and cluttered with papers. But today, thanks to digital transformation and careful organisation, archives have become a place that inspires, encourages research, and resembles a treasure,' Al Mazrouei said.