Ras Al Khaimah: Two Emirati veterans from Ras Al Khaimah shared the rich marine heritage of the United Arab Emirates ahead of its 51st National Day.
Nasser Hassen Al Kas Al Ali, 77, from Al Mairid region, says: “As Emiratis, we will not forget the heritage of our ancestors. Despite the challenges of globalization, we are proud of our heritage and strive to revive it and pass it on to future generations.
He says: “We are proud of what we have achieved over the past few years. »
Regularly invited by schools and other institutions to give lectures on how to preserve marine heritage, Al Ali has spent most of his life at sea and has a vast knowledge of maritime and maritime traditions in the United Arab Emirates. The sea, he says, gives him a great sense of peace and happiness and is where he spends most of his time.
Nasser Hassen Al Kas Al Ali, 77, says his love for the sea began when he was a child. His father taught him lessons about his generosity and ability to sustain life.
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“We are fortunate to have distinguished leadership that makes our lives easier,” he says.
The Emiratis as well as the expatriates in the Emirates lead a good life, thanks to the founders of the Union, he underlines.
His love for the sea began in childhood when his father taught him lessons about its generosity and ability to sustain life. According to his father, from time immemorial the sea has shared his largesse and nurtured generation after generation. Over time, people here relied on the sea for their livelihood, fishing and pearl diving, Al Ali was told.
“Every year, on the occasion of the national holiday, we participate and organize different activities in the marine museums.”
Having worked as the head of the Bin Majid Society for Folk Arts as well as the head of a number of marine museums in Ras Al Khaimah, he urges the younger generation to preserve the maritime heritage of the United Arab Emirates by participating in boat races and other activities.
Al Ali said he met the late Shaikh Zayed bin Nahyan four times and was encouraged to preserve the culture and heritage of the United Arab Emirates.
Al Ali has also written four books on UAE heritage and marine wealth.
“The UAE today salutes the world as a country always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. It is a country that is happy to celebrate the occasions of other countries,” he adds.
On this national holiday, he wishes to once again express his appreciation for this country which is his birthplace and which nurtured and raised him.
priceless legacy
Another veteran, Saleh Hanblouh, 68, from the Al Rams region of Ras Al Khaimah, explains how, despite the huge changes in the country, they are determined to continue working to preserve the heritage and culture of the UAE.
He says it is an invaluable legacy that must be passed on to future generations.
Having established a marine heritage museum in Al Rams in 1999. He recalls how his father, who had a deep love for the heritage of the United Arab Emirates, asked him before his death to work on preserving the heritage of their ancestors.
Saleh Hanblouh, 68, established a marine heritage museum in Al Rams in 1999.
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The museum includes many ancient tools used by the sea dwellers. Hanblouh also uses his extensive experience to teach the younger generation about the customs, traditions and practices they have been blessed to inherit. Besides fishing and pear fishing, being guided by the stars to travel is something he can explain in depth.
“There were no motorboats or cell phones in the beginning,” he reminds us.
He also organizes visits to schools and other institutions to teach young people the value of self-reliance and help them hone their endurance skills.
Residents call it the guardian of marine heritage in the United Arab Emirates.
For Hanblouh, the sea is the ideal place to spend good times in communion with nature. He is proud to be an Emirati and National Day, he says, is the happiest day for every citizen of the UAE.
“We are proud of this day,” he said, adding that the founding father of the United Arab Emirates anchored the Emiratis in morals and values like tolerance and respect.