A chapter in the history of Abu Dhabi is about to end. In fact, make that several thousand chapters, with the news that probably the city’s oldest private library is shutting its doors. Since 1978, the Daly Library has provided education and entertainment for generations.
The decision to close it is a practical one. When the library opened, Abu Dhabi lacked even a single bookshop. In an age of Amazon and Kindles, few now borrow books, and with less than a handful of volunteers to keep the shelves stacked, it is time to close for the last time.
Even more remarkable is that the woman who started the library, 36 years ago, will oversee its final days.
Jocelyn Henderson, now 92, is the wife of Edward Henderson, a former British diplomat who remained in the city after the formation of the UAE in 1971, and went on to set up the National Centre for Documentation and Research at Qasr Al Hosn on the instructions of the founding President, Sheikh Zayed.
Mrs Henderson, who still lives in a villa in the Royal Stables, says: “I’m of the generation that actually read books. I always have two or three books on the go, even now.
“Edward and I assumed there were other people here who enjoyed reading too. There were no bookshops here in those days and although people could order books from the UK, the postage was too expensive.”
The decision to set up a library was made by Mrs Henderson, along with Hazel Roberts, the wife of the British ambassador.
It started with 500 books donated by the Ranfurly Library Service, an organisation created in 1954 by Lady Hermione Ranfurly, a British aristocrat, to send books to parts of the world with a shortage of English language reading material.
Mrs Henderson says: “Ranfurly Libraries sent some books out to the British consul in Dubai, and I heard about this and said I’d take them all. I still have the odd book in the library that says it was donated by them.”
She arranged for the library to share the compound of St Andrew’s Church, then located on what is now the Corniche. When the church moved its compound to near Mushrif Park, the library followed.
Another major contribution came from Michael Daly, an Irishman who had set up the plumbing company Bin Moosa & Daly in 1967. Daly offered shelves with lockable doors and to fix them to the walls. His wife Audrey, had only recently died at the age of 55 and the new library was named in her memory. Daly’s son, also called Michael, still lives in the city and runs the family business. Now 60, he says: “My mother was one of the first Europeans to arrive here and also one of the very first people in that community to die here, so her passing impacted on the community.”
He compares the library to the Club, set up in the early 60s as another centre of expatriate life. “These are institutions that mirror the modern history of Abu Dhabi. People like Jocelyn are the key expat figures in the modern history of Abu Dhabi.
“My father only died six years ago, and was here for 50 years. Edward was very highly respected by all the previous Rulers. It’s coming to the end of an era. When key figures pass on and retire, it’s difficult to find people to replace them.”
Today the library houses 7,000 books, including 2,000 non fiction works and 300 children’s stories. The books are vetted to avoid offending local sensitivities and despite its location, there are no works on Christianity to avoid accusations of proselytising.
One of the oldest books is a 1959 edition of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. It has been borrowed 30 times in the last 25 years, mostly around the festive season. Also on the shelves is Edward Henderson’s memoir This Strange and Eventful History has been borrowed 30 times over the same period.
Another book with a personal connection to the Hendersons is Wilfred Thesiger’s Arabian Sands, with several copies available. Mrs Henderson remembers the explorer visiting her husband, who died in 1995.
But she never warmed to him. “Thesiger was arrogant! I didn’t like him much, he hated women. He was afraid of them. But he was very fond of his mother – he was a mother’s boy. Also an intelligent man,” she concedes.
Her connection with the city goes back to 1968, when she joined her husband with their daughter Lucy, then four, from London. Her current home was provided by Sheikh Zayed as somewhere quieter, with the President sometimes joining them for meals after visiting his Arabian horses at the stables.
After her husband’s death, she chose to stay in the bungalow. “When I’ve been in town and I come back here, my home feels like an oasis,” she says.
Despite being attached to the church, the library has never depended solely on members of the congregation. It is something Mrs Henderson is proud off, saying many different nationalities used the service, helping some to improve their English.
Less popular works were sold off at the annual church bazaar to make space for new stock, which arrived monthly. Special requests for certain books could also be made, although only if deemed suitable by Mrs Henderson.
Where once a team of volunteers worked to keep the library open, there are now just two, Sue Michelmore and Phillip Loath, who staff it just once a week, on Sunday evenings.
“It’s become very difficult, because volunteering has gone out of fashion,” Jocelyn says despondently. She is now too frail to visit the library.
Mr Loath says that: “ I think for Jocelyn, it’s a big wrench. She made up her mind to do it now, but it’s very sad really. There’s some good old books here, really. We’ve only been open once a week for the past six months or so. Jocelyn used to take a lot of the strain, when people weren’t able to come or had other commitments, she used to step in. But now of course, she’s unable to do that. And volunteers are becoming more and more difficult to find.”
Lucy Henderson calls the closing: “The passing of an era. We are in an electronic age where the need is just not there anymore. Expats used to only go back home once a year, and the library was ideal because it provided a link to Britain. But, it’s not required anymore.”
For the chaplain of St Andrew’s, the Rev Andrew Thompson, the Daly Library “was probably the main source of entertainment for the early expats. It met a critical need, at the time. In those days, there weren’t so many institutions, and reading was a major pastime.
“Today however, Abu Dhabi is an incredible centre of entertainment – a location for world class music acts, Ferrari world, Yas Waterworld, there are so many more things to do, and there are public libraries here now.“
Mr Thompson now hopes to use the space as a Christian resource centre for the wider Christian community “in tribute to its function”.
But if the library is closing down in Abu Dhabi, that is not quite the end of the story. This week came the news that the books have a new home in Addis Ababa, thanks to a connection Mrs Michelmore has in Ethiopia.
“We have enough money in our funds to send over the shelving and the library computer too, and I’m thrilled we can do that for them.,” says Mrs Michelmore. “We’re officially closing the library on March 31, so the library will be sent to Addis Ababa. We feel the need for books is greater there.”
SPECS
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How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Canada
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From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
MATCH INFO
FA Cup fifth round
Chelsea v Manchester United, Monday, 11.30pm (UAE), BeIN Sports
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Look north
BBC business reporters, like a new raft of government officials, are being removed from the national and international hub of London and surely the quality of their work must suffer.
HAEMOGLOBIN DISORDERS EXPLAINED
Thalassaemia is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as haemoglobin disorders.
Haemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen and a lack of it triggers anemia, leaving patients very weak, short of breath and pale.
The most severe type of the condition is typically inherited when both parents are carriers. Those patients often require regular blood transfusions - about 450 of the UAE's 2,000 thalassaemia patients - though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.
The condition mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Saudi Arabia recorded 45,892 cases of carriers between 2004 and 2014.
A World Health Organisation study estimated that globally there are at least 950,000 'new carrier couples' every year and annually there are 1.33 million at-risk pregnancies.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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