Visitors to Qasr Al Watan Library inside the Abu Dhabi presidential palace will now have access to four new books and rare manuscripts, as part of a new display.
This includes a book by prominent Egyptian writer Taha Hussein, an English translation of a tome by historian Ibn al-Qutiya, as well as works on early world travel and falconry. While these are accessible at the palace, they can also be found in its digital collection for the next three months.
The library, which is home to a collection of 50,000 texts and 16 million digital documents, reopened to the public in February after it was closed because of the pandemic.
Here, we take a closer look at the books that are part of the new showcase.
'Early Islamic Spain: The History of Ibn al-Qutiya'
This is the first published English-language translation of the original historical text, which contains ancient stories from the earliest histories of Islamic Spain, as well as a study of the original author, Ibn al-Qutiya, and his work.
It is a significant source for scholars in this field, and the author wrote this manuscript at the height of the Umayyad Caliphate of Muslim Spain and Portugal (al-Andalus), providing deep insights that focus on the first 250 years of Muslim rule in the peninsula.
In another section, readers get a glimpse into the writer's exceptional background, including his European origins and his experience as a loyal servant of the Iberian Umayyads. Ibn al-Qutiya also taught Arabic, the Hadith and history at the Great Mosque of Cordoba.
'Coursing and Falconry' by Harding Edward De Fonblanque Cox
Early books on the subject of falconry are now extremely scarce. This particular piece has been selected by scholars as being culturally important.
Coursing and Falconry substantially elucidates the history of the management of hawks and falcons for the sport, as well as the breeding and management of greyhounds as coursing dogs.
It is a rare book that is important enough to have been protected, preserved, reproduced and made available to the public. Because of its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.
'Dramas by a Group of the Most Famous French Writers 1924' by Taha Hussein
Taha Hussein was one of the most influential 20th-century Egyptian writers and intellectuals, and one of the most prominent figures for the Egyptian Renaissance and modernist movement in the Middle East and North Africa.
He was a leading cultural and public figure in Egypt and was nominated for a Nobel Prize in Literature 14 times.
His book, Dramas by a Group of the Most Famous French Writers 1924, includes critical and analytical chapters that cover a range of modern representations published in The Political.
With this, Hussein sought to achieve two things: illuminate Arabic-speaking readers to an emerging form of western literature; and to raise awareness and let these stories and their various philosophical opinions and artistic doctrines impact the hearts of writers and performers – particularly those concerned with Arab representation – and encourage them to include this form of art in their work.
'The New Universal Traveller', or, 'A Collection of late Voyages and Travels through Europe, Asia, Africa, America and the South-Sea Islands' by Robert Heron
The New Universal Traveller, also referred to as a collection of late voyages and travels, through Europe, Asia, Africa, America and the South-Sea Islands by Robert Heron is a purely cultural book that follows the adventures of Niebuhr, an avid traveller.
The book takes readers to continents such as Asia, Africa, America and Europe through vivid descriptions that provide insight on the climate, cultures, habits and traditional clothing of the places Niebuhr visited.
Qasr Al Watan Library is open throughout the week, except Mondays and Saturdays, 10am-8pm.
MATCH INFO
Iceland 0 England 1 (Sterling pen 90 1)
Man of the match Kari Arnason (Iceland)
AWARDS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Baniyas Group 2 (PA) Dh 97,500 (Dirt) 1,400m.
7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,400m
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,400m
8.50pm Rated Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh 85,000 (D) 2,000m
RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
Winner: Miller’s House, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Kanood, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gervais, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Important Mission, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)
Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)
The specs
Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Power: 300hp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: Dh189,900
On sale: now
Results
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
Williams at Wimbledon
Venus Williams - 5 titles (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)
Serena Williams - 7 titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016)
Classification from Tour de France after Stage 17
1. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 73:27:26"
2. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Cannondale-Drapac) 27"
3. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R La Mondiale)
4. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana Pro Team) 53"
5. Mikel Landa (Spain / Team Sky) 1:24"
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
