Dubai, 8 November 2021: A comprehensive and defining book on Emirati heritage of customs, traditions, norms, and social manners, was launched early this week by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) at the ongoing 40th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).

Authored by HHC CEO Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, the book titled Al Sanaa highlights Emirati customs, manners, social practices, traditions, and other cultural disciplines governing daily interactions and behaviors. It also promotes the intangible cultural heritage of the UAE.

“The message of cultural heritage and preservation is of utmost national interest,” noted Bin Dalmook, adding: “It is also a social responsibility and our role at HHC is to highlight this great cultural heritage through informative and educational materials.”

Al Sanaa is part of the UAE educational curriculum. Bin Dalmook said: “We document values, morals and concepts that distinguish us as Emiratis from others in certain ways, noting that the book has also become a scientific subject in the school curricula, adopted by the Ministry of Education for the preparatory and secondary grades, after the adoption of the Arabic version as a curriculum in the years past.”

Active cultural preservation

Bin Dalmook observed: “At a time when some societies are losing many of their values ​​and cultural heritage, the UAE is actively preserving its heritage, considering that this heritage material is a beautiful cultural and moral window for all residents of different nationalities of different ages and social strata in the country.” 

“The book provides important details of the traditional aspects of the UAE society, as well as its rich customs, traditions and noble values ​​that embody the meanings of tolerance, respect and good morals passed on by generations, from parents and grandparents,” Bin Dalmook added.

Warm reception

The launch of Al Sanaa at SIBF was warmly received by a large crowd of visitors from different nationalities who flocked to HHC pavilion to acquire a signed copy of the book.

The 40th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair will run until November 13 at Expo Centre Sharjah, under the theme ‘There’s always a right book’.