He signed his new documentary book in «Al Owais Cultural»

Abdul Ghaffar Hussein. An emotional journey with «Our Aunt Palm»

Abdul Ghaffar Hussain during the signing ceremony of his new book at the Al Owais Cultural Foundation. Cinematographer: Patrick Castillo

Under the title "Tales and Memories of Palms", the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation organized a lecture by the writer and historian Abdul Ghaffar Hussein, followed by a book signing ceremony for "Our Aunt the Palm", the day before yesterday, at the Foundation's headquarters. During the lecture, the Emirati writer talked about the book, describing it as being more sentimental than historical or documentary, talking about the place of the palm tree in Emirati society, and the value it represents, whether for the state or even for Emiratis.

The book "Our Aunt the Palm" celebrates the palm tree socially, considering the palm as an emotional value in the conscience of the people of the Emirates, as well as its economic and scientific dimension, and the associated professional product that entered history, where the palm tree was the source of livelihood and goodness. The book sheds light on palm cultivation in the UAE and dates in the UAE and Oman, and tours the poems that were said in the palm, as it presents the palm tree in the eyes of poets, such as Abu Nawas, Ahmed Shawky, Mahmoud Sami Al-Baroudi, Dr. Aref Al-Sheikh, Saif Al-Marri, and the late Emirati poet Dr. Ahmed Amin.

Abdul Ghaffar Hussein spoke to Emirates Today about this book, saying: "I talked in this book about old Dubai and its farms, and cited what visitors wrote about it, the English, for example, presented a book entitled "Guide to the Gulf", a book prepared by the British Foreign Office in the early last century, in which it was mentioned that the number of palm trees in Dubai reaches 4000,10 palms, knowing that its inhabitants at that time were 19,130 people, and this means that Dubai was the first in palm cultivation. He added: "In the book, I also dealt with some of the geographical maps prepared by the English before they invaded the region, that is, in the early <>th century, and the maps they drew and existing palm plantations." He saw that Dubai between the past and the present is very different, describing Dubai as an open city since ancient times, and pointing out that for <> years it has been opening its doors to people, whether to visitors or immigrants, it is known for opening its arms to everyone, and this is what made it flourish. What is most associated with the image of Dubai in Hussein's memory is the simplicity of the city of Dubai, explaining that the development in the times, makes him

Of course, always looking nostalgically to the past and its simplicity. As for his choice of the title of the book, he stressed that it was inspired by the old saying, "(Honor your aunt the palm tree, for she was created from the bounty of Adam's clay), and not from the tree a tree more generous to God than a tree under which Maryam bint Imran was born, so feed your wives the mothers of the wet, if not wet, then pass", explaining that it is narrated that this aphorism is a prophetic hadith. As for Hussein, the palm tree described it as life, because people lived on the palm tree, both in food and housing, it is a reality that represents the whole life.

During his lecture, Abdul Ghaffar Hussein explained his love for the palm tree, and pointed out that the palm tree is a blessed tree mentioned in the holy books, especially the Holy Quran, speaking about the importance of the tree in the Arabian Peninsula, where they were completely dependent on it, whether in food or even in the construction of houses. He talked about that those familiar with history, have always mentioned that the name Dubai is derived from the palm, meaning that Dubai means the palm, citing the sayings of Ahmed bin Sultan bin Sulayem, who is familiar with the history of the Emirates, as well as the Saudi researcher, Sheikh Hamad Al-Jasser, who is familiar with the geography of Arab countries, as he confirmed that Dubai is the name of a palm.

• The palm tree is an emotional value in the conscience of the people of the Emirates, as well as its economic and scientific dimension.

• Dubai has been opening its doors to people for 130 years, it is known for opening its arms to everyone.

Literary biography

Born in Dubai in 1936, the writer, historian and writer Abdul Ghaffar Hussein is considered one of the brightest men of the Emirates, who gave their lives to historical, literary and social research and writing, and devoted themselves to giving lectures, participating in knowledge seminars and chairing a number of associations and unions. He spent many years serving his country as a civil servant, the first literary critic in the UAE, the first structured translationist, and the first book reviewer. He has published a number of important books in poetry, history and translations, including "Creative Images in the Poetry of Sultan Al Owais", "The Blessed Burda and Its Approach", "The Award and Poetry", "National Concerns", "Tarim Omran.. Glimpses of His Life", "Melodies of Conscience", "Reading in the Book of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid (My Vision, and Flashes of Thought)", "Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in the Race of Time", "Books and Writers.. Selected Readings" issued by the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, in which he reviewed summaries of 150 books on various topics.