Islamic Civilisation in the Arabian Gulf - UAE History PDF

Okay, here is the conversion of the provided text into a structured markdown format. # Islamic Civilisation Arrives in the Arabian Gulf In the late pre-Islamic period, also referred to in Arab history as the *Jahaliyya*, Arab merchants traded with merchants from empires on the periphery of the Ara...

Okay, here is the conversion of the provided text into a structured markdown format. # Islamic Civilisation Arrives in the Arabian Gulf In the late pre-Islamic period, also referred to in Arab history as the *Jahaliyya*, Arab merchants traded with merchants from empires on the periphery of the Arabian Peninsula. Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) was a merchant trader travelling to Damascus and back to Mecca before he received the message of Islam. After Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the revelation of Islam, he taught its principles to the new Muslim community. After the Muslims left Mecca for safety in Medina in 622 CE, Islam spread through the Arabian Peninsula. Followers of the Prophet (PBUH) travelled from Mecca and Medina to other parts of the Arabian Peninsula, Ethiopia, Egypt and Syria and points beyond. The Islamic faith and Islamic civilisation arrived in the area now known as the UAE during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For this early period, we benefit from the early histories written by Al-Balathuri and Al-Tabari and archaeological evidence. In 630 CE / 9 AH the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sent a letter to the Sasanian Governor on the coast of Eastern Arabia who rejected the message to accept Islam. Another letter went to the leaders of the Al Julanda tribe in the area of Suhar, now Oman, who accepted Islam. In a very short time, Islam was received and established among the coastal people of the area now known as the UAE. A final battle over Dibba took place in around 632 CE or after the death of the Prophet (PBUH). The Caliph Abu Bakr sent out a force of soldiers from the Hijaz to reinforce the Al Julanda in a battle at Dibba. After the battle, its people accepted Islam. Soon, the ports of Suhar, Dibba (the same city found in the Emirate of Fujairah) and eventually Julfar (now in Ras Al Khaimah) became ports of trade and commerce for an expanding Islamic civilization. According to the historian Al-Tabari, in around 637 CE, Julfar became the base of a naval expedition by the Muslim forces to Qays Island in the Arabian Gulf. Here is a table to match the region with a short description based on the image: | Region | Description | | :---------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Al Julanda | An important early port-town (now called Ras Al Khaimah). | | Jahaliyya | A tribe in the area of Oman whose leaders accepted Islam in about 630CE. | | Julfar | An important port town, now in Fujairah, whose people converted to Islam early in the caliphate of Abu Bakr. | | Dibba | The period of time before Islam. | ## The Rise of Islamic Civilisations The first century of Islamic history is distinguished by its quick and successful expansion across Africa to Europe as well as throughout Arabia, Syria, Persia, and Central and South Asia. Islam later spread into China and Southeast Asia and eventually to all parts of the world where mosques can be seen reflecting aspects of the cultures of each of the regions. ## Julfar and Ahmed Bin Majid Ahmed bin Majid was a famous Arab navigator. He was born in Julfar, in what is now Ras Al Khaimah, in about the year 1432 CE and died in around 1500 СЕ. Ibn Majid, as well as other Arab mariners such as Ibn Rubban al-Barin, and Al-Asad Ibn Aswad, knew how to navigate by the stars. They used the astrolabe as protractor calculator to help determine the latitude of their position. This is known as celestial navigation and is still taught today to mariners. In one of his famous books the Kitab al-Fawa'id fi usul al-bahr wa'l-qawa'id (Book on the Rules of Sea Navigation), Ahmad bin Majid describes the oceans, lands, and seas of the known world in about 1490. Al-Asad Ibn Aswad appeared in qaisdas or short poetic stories that recount his knowledge of navigation by the stars. ## The Portuguese Empire and the Arabian Seas 1500-1620 The Ottoman Empire dominated the Mediterranean and large parts of Western Asia since their conquest of Constantinople in 1452. Inspired by the Ottomans, the Europeans began exploring the Atlantic Ocean and down the coast of Africa. After the Americas were discovered in the 1490s, the European countries began expanding through maritime empires and colonies. Tragic consequences of the colonisation were that European diseases devastated the indigenous populations of North and South America who had no immunity to them and hundreds of thousands of people from the Western coast of Africa were captured and forced into slavery to work on plantations in the New World. In 1488, a Portuguese sailor, Bartholomew Diaz, managed to sail around the southern tip of Africa, but he only went a short distance further. In 1497, Vasco da Gama sailed from Lisbon in Portugal along the West African coast. In December of the same year, he rounded the southern edge of Africa. Continuing, he crossed the Indian Ocean and reached a place near modern day Calicut, in Kerala, India. He became the first European sailor to complete a voyage between Western Europe and India, although historical sources say he learned about the route from Arab sailors. The Portuguese began controlling areas of south Asia and the Arabian Gulf. Da Gama's knowledge of how to sail across the Indian Ocean was still, however, very limited, as is evident in his decision to return to Kenya in August. This was the worst time to sail from east to west, as the winds were blowing in the opposite direction. Local sailors and navigators who understood the monsoon patterns, like Ibn Majid, would have known this. The trip back to India took a terrible toll on his ships. Instead of the 23 days it had taken to sail from Malindi to Calicut, it took Da Gama 132 days to sail in the opposite direction. Many of his sailors died from thirst and starvation, but most of his fleet made it back home to Portugal. ## The Tribal Origins of the Modern UAE The Qawasim and the Bani Yas represent twin aspects of modern life in the UAE, The Bani Yas were familiar with the interior of the country and had strong desert roots, while also being involved in the offshore pearl fisheries. The Qawasim were merchants and sailors who sailed the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean. The emergence of these two groups, allied with the tribes of smaller coastal ports like Ajman and Umm al-Qaiwain, laid the foundations for the United Arab Emirates of today. The patterns of government now began to become distinctly recognisable across the region, in towns and rural areas as well as in the desert and mountains. The leader of each community. ## The Al Nahyan Family Sometime in the middle or late seventeenth century, today's ruling Al Nahyan family emerged as the chiefs of the Bani Yas. The first-known Al Nahyan sheikh was called Falah, from the Al Bu Falah section of the tribe. One of his four sons, Nahyan, then succeeded him. Then, perhaps in the early eighteenth century, Nahyan's son, Isa, became the Bani Yas Sheikh. From now on, the history of the Bani Yas becomes clearer. A few decades later, after Sheikh Dhiyab had succeeded his father, Sheikh Isa, the Bani Yas moved to occupy the island of Abu Dhabi. The date that is commonly associated with this move is 1761. A well-known story attributes this move to hunters having followed a gazelle from the coast across a shallow inlet to a spring on the island of Abu Dhabi. The tribesmen returned to Liwa and told Sheikh Dhiyab of their discovery. He then ordered a settlement built on the island. This story provides the origin for the name 'Abu Dhabi - ie, 'the Father of, or possession of, the gazelle.' The move to Abu Dhabi was very wise, as it was close to the pearl banks. The Bani Yas began to grow as an economic and maritime power. It was also easily defended as the island was separated from the mainland by a creek. The tower at Maqta, restored by Sheikh Zayed in 1969, was used for this purpose. The tower served to control access to the island of Abu Dhabi. It marked the tribe's control over the island and their intentions to establish their seat of power there. In 1795, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab succeeded his father as Ruler and moved his headquarters from Liwa to Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Shakhbut established a fort on the island. This was to become the first part of the building that today is known as Qasr al-Hosn. ## Sheikh Rahma bin Matar al-Qasimi According to a Dutch report of 1756, Sheikh Rahma, who founded the Al Qasimi dynasty, "is at present the most powerful among the Huwala rulers, having of his own people 400 well-armed with firearms in Zur (Ra's al-Khaimah), which has a good harbour where the largest ships can find shelter. There may be about 60 vessels there of which the most are large and well provided and navigate down to Mocha (a port in Yemen). In this place itself there is a rather considerable trade as well of pearls as of some merchandise and provisions which are carried into the desert..." ## Treaties In January 1820, the General Maritime Treaty was signed between the British and rulers of several of the Emirates. An original copy was signed on the beach at Ra's al-Khaimah and then additional rulers signed. These included the sheikhs of Ra's al- Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Umm al-Qaiwain. The aim of the treaty was to further British control of shipping, but it also provided for an expansion of pearling and trade by the rulers of the emirates. This treaty also included a commitment to prohibit maritime transport of slaves, long before the practice was abolished in many other countries. One result of the General Maritime Treaty was the development of closer relations between two tribal groupings of the Bani Yas and the Qawasim. ## The Treaties of the 19th Century The foundations of the modern UAE grew throughout the 1800s. The Bani Yas and the Qawasim consolidated their power across the country. They continued to engage with the British Empire who sought to extend their power into the region. Several treaties with the British were signed from the 1830s onwards. In 1853 the Perpetual Maritime Truce ensured an end to all conflict at sea. This was followed by the Exclusive Treaty' in 1892. As a result of these agreements, the country became known as the "Trucial States", The treaties restricted other European countries from the Arabian Gulf. They also resulted in Britain representing the Trucial States in dealings with foreign countries. ## The Northern Emirates The northern emirates also changed during this time. Abu Dhabi and Dubai had been under one rule since at least 1799. In 1833 the Al Maktoum family, part of the Al Bu Falasah section of the Bani Yas, migrated from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, Under their leader, Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti, they settled and ruled Dubai. In 1894, Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher al-Maktoum became ruler of Dubai, and the city grew in importance. Sheikh Butti bin Suhail al-Maktoum succeeded him in 1906. Trade and economy flourished. In 1909, the British India Steam Navigation Company added Dubai as a port of call on its routes to India. The first postal service was introduced at that time. This allowed merchants to communicate quickly through the Arabian Gulf and India. In 1866, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr al-Qasimi, who had ruled the Qawasim state in the north, died. His territory was divided into Sharjah and Ra's al-Khaimah and ruled by his sons. The Qawasim were forced to leave parts of Iran though they kept the islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb. Abu Musa became part of Sharjah, and Greater and Lesser Tunb became part of Ras al-Khaimah. ## World War I and the 1920s The outbreak of World War I (1914-1918) brought conflict to the region, as British forces fought against the Ottoman Empire in Iraq and Palestine. The UAE was not directly involved in the war. However, its position between the Middle East and India made it strategically important. There were also changes in the Arabian Gulf region during this time. In 1902, a new Saudi state was founded in Riyadh. It extended its control over eastern Arabia and then conquered Mecca and the rest of the Hijaz in the 1920s. By the end of World War I, the major empires of central and eastern Europe, as well as the Ottoman Empire collapsed. This, in turn, affected trade and stability around the world. This marked the beginning of tough times for the UAE that continued for several decades. The UAE was particularly affected by events far afield in Japan. In 1928, the Japanese began to harvest cultured pearls grown in special farms, and within a few years these flooded the world markets. The result was a catastrophe for the Gulf's pearling industry. ## The Trucial Scouts Security was an important concern during these decades. In 1951, a local military force that was to become known as the Trucial Scouts was established. Initially, it had British Officers as well as officers from other Arab countries, like Jordan, and was headquartered at Sharjah Airport, then the only airport in the country. Initially consisting of fewer than 100 men, the force rapidly expanded. It was funded by the British Government but served the local rulers and people along with the newly formed local police forces. Its job was to preserve law. ## The Emerging Trucial States The aftermath of World War II brought profound changes to the Middle East and South Asia. India and Pakistan became independent from Britain in 1947. Sri Lanka followed a year later. British influence in the UAE also changed. This provided an opportunity for the beginnings of local government to emerge. In 1952 the Trucial States Council was established. This brought the rulers of the different emirates together twice a year to discuss a variety of topics, including nationality laws and travel documents. A Trucial States Development Fund was also created which helped the leaders plan future developments in infrastructure. Education and Health were a particular focus for investment. Although it was many decades before the formation of the Gulf Co-Operation Council, the countries of the Arabian Gulf assisted each other during this time. Kuwait provided important aid for the UAE, especially in health and education in the northern emirates. By 1959, modern schools existed in several places across the country. As education spread, the people became more aware of events elsewhere in the region. The concept of Arab nationalism, spreading across the Middle East, also helped to stimulate new ideas about the future. The political structure of the UAE also began to take shape. In 1952, Fujairah secured recognition as a separate emirate. This brought the number of emirates to seven. Increased political organisation, such as the Trucial States Council, and the possibility of oil in the country also brought renewed interest from Britain. ## 1960-1970: The Discovery of Oil The people of the UAE had exploited various resources throughout their history. During the Umm an-Nar period (2500-2000 BCE), the copper of the al-Hajar mountains was sent to Mesopotamia, bringing great wealth to the country. The invention of the falaj in the Iron Age (1300-300 BCE) allowed people to access water buried deep in the ground to grow crops, such as dates. As a result, oases grew in al-Ain and other places. The pearling industry, which started over 7,000 years ago, flourished until the recent past. The country has, therefore, always had resources. When used carefully, they have provided wealth and opportunities for people. Oil is no different. It is only the. ## Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may Allah have mercy upon his soul) Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may Allah have mercy upon his soul) was born in the Abu Dhabi Emirate around the year 1918, He was the youngest of the four sons of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was the Ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1922 to 1926. During that time, Abu Dhabi was an undeveloped Emirate with an economy that depended mainly on fishing, pearl diving, and agriculture. Growing up, the young Sheikh Zayed was able to gain a deep understanding of the land and people by travelling throughout the region and visiting tribesmen in desert areas. Sheikh Zayed eventually became the Ruler's representative in the Eastern region of Abu Dhabi, centred on the oasis of Al Ain, which is 160km to the east of Abu Dhabi. As the Ruler's Representative, Sheikh Zayed was responsible for ruling over six villages and a nearby desert region. The development of Al Ain is credited to his insight, wisdom, and fairness. In Al Ain, he developed a basic administration system and personally funded the first modern school in the Abu Dhabi Emirate. He revised water ownership rights, increased agricultural development, and developed Al Ain into an important city for trade and farming. In 1966, Sheikh Zayed became the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and focused a lot of attention on the development of the entire emirate. By this time, oil had been discovered in the region more than 30 years before. The first processed shipments of crude oil had been exported by 1962. The growing revenue from the oil industry enabled Sheikh Zayed to develop Abu Dhabi by building schools, hospitals, housing, and internal infrastructure. In 1968, The British government announced that they would leave the Gulf Region. This prompted Sheikh Zayed to make a plan to develop the Trucial States into a new, self-governing federation. Heeding Sheikh Zayed's call, the seven emirates of the Trucial States collaborated to form the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. Sheikh Zayed's leadership over the United Arab Emirates transformed the Trucial States into a powerful and Innovative country that has overcome difficulties. *"A country is not measured by the size of its area on the map. A country is truly measured by its heritage and culture."* A size or Area of location dosen't matter when neeasering country's strength it is hertiage & cullwe ## Constitution The Founding Fathers of the UAE had a well-defined mission in mind when they agreed to form the UAE. The preamble of the Constitution gives the reasons why the leaders decided to join and the goals that they hoped to achieve. The Constitution of the new country set out the organisation of the government, the role of the Supreme Council, and how the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister would be selected. Since its establishment on the 2nd of December 1971, the UAE had set a temporary constitution. In July 1996, the Federal Supreme Council made the provisional Constitution permanent, and the city of Abu Dhabi became the capital of the federation. The Constitution has 152 articles establishing a basis of the UAE and the rights of citizens in ten areas. The UAE has five Federal Authorities: The Federal Supreme Council, the President and Vice President, the Cabinet, the Federal National Council, and the Federal Judicial Authority. The Federal Supreme Council is the highest constitutional authority in the country and consists of rulers of the seven emirates constituting the federation or their deputies in their emirates in case of the ruler's absence. Each emirate has one single vote in the council. During the formation of the government, the first Cabinet was formed. The first Prime Minister was Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. This was quickly followed by the creation of the country's parliament, the Federal National Council, with representatives from each of the seven emirates. Gradually, other elements were introduced such as the Union Defence Force in 1976 and the UAE Currency Board in 1973, which introduced the UAE Dirham. ## The Discovery of Oil The first oil well, called the Murban-3, was completed in May of 1960, and began producing crude oil at a rate of 3674 barrels per day. More oil fields were quickly discovered and the revenue from the oil production started to grow dramatically. In 1971, ADNOC, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company was created by Sheikh Zayed. ADNOC held the government's share in the country's oil industry. Under earlier agreements, all gas belonged to the government and foreign oil companies owned the oil. These foreign companies were required to pay taxes and royalties on the oil that they owned. In 1973, ADNOC took a 25% share in the oil which increased to 60% in 1974. Currently, ADNOC manages and overseas the production of around three million barrels of oil per day - making it the twelfth largest oil producer in the world. With the funding from the oil and gas industry, the government was able to enact massive improvements to the infrastructure of the country through socio-economic construction. Sheikh Zayed created the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) in 1976 with the aim of reinvesting funds into the Emirate to help it grow. This allowed hospitals, schools and roads to be created which greatly improved the quality of life and increased positive aspects of the UAE's future. In Al Ain, the country's first university, United Arab Emirates University opened in 1977. ## History in the UAE By 1990, the United Arab Emirates had existed as a nation for nearly twenty years. Sheikh Zayed remained as the country's leader and President. Some of those who had helped him to form the federation, though, were beginning to pass away. New rulers came to power in Sharjah in 1972, Fujairah in 1974, and Umm al-Qaiwain and Ajman in 1981. In 1990, Sheikh Zayed's close ally Sheikh Rashid of Dubai, died. As the UAE's first Vice President and Prime Minister for many years, he had played a key role in the building of the new state. He was succeeded by his Crown Prince, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid. Sheikh Zayed combined his deep interest in the country's environment with a passion for its history. He recognized that the two were very closely linked. He also believed it was essential that people should learn about the past. He once said: *"History is a continuous chain of events. The present is only an extension of the past. He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and future, for it is from the past that we learn. The new generation should have a proper appreciation of the role played by their forefathers."* It was natural, therefore, that he showed great interest in archaeology. When the first archaeologists arrived from Denmark in 1959 to work on Umm an-Nar island, he visited them. He asked lots of questions about what they were doing and what their discoveries meant. He also invited them to Al-Ain to look at the burial mounds on Jebel Hafit, later shown to be around 5,000 years old. He took them personally in 1962 to the great tomb at Hili. In1992, heestablished and funded the Abu Dhabilslands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS). ADIAS studied the coast and islands of Abu Dhabi for 14 years and made many major discoveries, including the early monastery on Sir Bani Yas. Sheikh Zayed took particular interest in this site, as he saw it as an important part of the country's heritage and an example of the need for religious tolerance. Sheikh Zayed believed that today's Emiratis need to know how their ancestors lived and what resources they used. He believed that with this knowledge they would understand more about their modern lives and how lucky they were. He also believed that if people understood the need to protect the environment, a greater balance between Nature and Man could be achieved, not only for today but for generations to come. ## War in the Gulf Regional events began to dominate the scene. The long war between Iraq and Iran came to an end in 1988, but in August 1990 Iraq invaded and occupied its neighbour, Kuwait. Its leader, Saddam Hussein, also made threats against the UAE. Thousands of Kuwaitis were welcomed as refugees to the UAE. Sheikh Zayed immediately recognized the need for a firm response. Through the GCC, the UAE was committed to support its fellow member, Kuwait. The UAE joined an international coalition, led by the United States. In February 1991, UAE planes and ground forces took part in the campaign to liberate Kuwait. The conflict itself did not reach the territory of the UAE, but it had a dramatic effect. Emiratis responded with a show of loyalty and thousands of young men volunteered for the armed forces. Many UAE women did the same, leading to the formation of the first women's military units, the first of their kind in the Arab world. During the 1990s, a major program to expand and develop the UAE Armed Forces was initiated. New equipment was purchased, numbers of recruits were increased, and the level of training was improved. Much of the program was directed by Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, who was also Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. It was implemented by another son of the president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who became Chief of Staff in 1993. Sheikh Mohamed later succeeded Sheikh Khalifa as Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander when Sheikh Zayed died.