Related: How Sharjah played its part in winning the Second World War
Thousands thronged the streets and danced until sunset – news of the Allied victory in 1945 was greeted with huge fanfare in Dubai and Sharjah.
When the Germans surrendered on May 7, it drew the curtain on five years of hardship for many in what is now the UAE.
But the depth of feeling even caught the British off guard.
"The final Allied victory in Europe was celebrated with surprising enthusiasm and spontaneity," reads a report from the British archives.
"For three days, Dubai and Sharjah were en fete and the streets were thronged with large crowds following numerous dancing parties. Congratulatory messages were received from the sheikhs of Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.
"All public buildings and private houses in Sharjah were decorated, down to the humblest reed hut. Dubai followed suit and the sheikhs (including Ajman) fired their cannons," it read.
"On the 11th, a crowd of about 2,000, men, woman and children gathered outside the [British] agency office where dancing continued until sunset."
Wednesday marks the 75th anniversary of the formal end of the Second World War. And Sharjah was central to the regional effort as an Allied base for submarine-hunting aircraft and logistical support.
The reports about the scenes marking the war’s end were unearthed in the British Library by Ali Iqbal, a historian in Dubai, who has researched and written about the effect of the war on the region.
Mr Iqbal said the celebration that took place showed people here were proud the Allies had won and world peace was restored.
"The hospitality and tolerance of the people were clearly evident through their invaluable help in rescuing crashed Allied airmen during the war," said Mr Iqbal.
The British also held a celebration party for the Sheikhs, along with British and US officers from Sharjah on May 12 to formally celebrate the victory.
"The dinner, which was the biggest of its kind ever to be given on the Trucial Coast, was much appreciated by the sheikhs and the atmosphere was most cordial."
News of Japan’s surrender about a month later in August brought more celebration. Flags were flown on government buildings in both cities. In Dubai, shops were closed for three days and 15 guns fired. But owing to Ramadan, traditional dances celebrating the end of the war were not held.
By September 2 the conflict was finally over. “The war had a historically little known but crucial role to play in the region,” said Mr Iqbal. "It is good that history is now being recognised."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
US households add $601bn of debt in 2019
American households borrowed another $601 billion (Dh2.2bn) in 2019, the largest yearly gain since 2007, just before the global financial crisis, according to February data from the New York Federal Reserve Bank.
Fuelled by rising mortgage debt as homebuyers continued to take advantage of low interest rates, the increase last year brought total household debt to a record high, surpassing the previous peak reached in 2008 just before the market crash, according to the report.
Following the 22nd straight quarter of growth, American household debt swelled to $14.15 trillion by the end of 2019, the New York Fed said in its quarterly report.
In the final three months of the year, new home loans jumped to their highest volume since the fourth quarter of 2005, while credit cards and auto loans also added to the increase.
The bad debt load is taking its toll on some households, and the New York Fed warned that more and more credit card borrowers — particularly young people — were falling behind on their payments.
"Younger borrowers, who are disproportionately likely to have credit cards and student loans as their primary form of debt, struggle more than others with on-time repayment," New York Fed researchers said.
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More coverage from the Future Forum
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
