Symbol of Qasr Al Hosn in UAE - Case Study Example

All around the globe, people have symbolic ideas and objects which are rooted in their minds and souls, and in some cases places serve this idea for some communities. One such example is of Qasr Al Hosn in UAE, which is a reference of their rich history. It impact Emirati identity in a lot of ways and holds historical significance and has contributed socially, politically and economically. (Taher 2014) Qasr Al Hosn was crucial, and still it is one of the symbols that reflect the originality of the Emirati locals. First of all, Qasr Al Hosn was the first defensive entity for people’s life securities in the UAE owing to its role as a defender to protect water sources on this island hundreds of years ago. Sheikh Dhiyab Al Nahyan, a Bani Yas tribe’s well-known leader, built this fort and supported its building to be seen from far away to preserve the valuable source of water that had been discovered recently. Therefore, to strengthen this defensive figure, Sheihk Dhiyab expanded Qasr Al Hosn at that time and its tower to play its role highly more effective especially a community had been growing since then around that massive building. Furthermore, Qasr Al Hosn is a source of heritage, traditions and customs. A lot of celebrations and ceremonies are held regularly in this place to remind locals of their history and ancestors. Qasr Al Hosn is like a museum or a gallery that hold many collections of traditional and old objects such as coins, uniform, weapons, tools…etc. It also keeps the primitive shape that gives real senses of past days. Therefore, Qasr Al Hosn, in addition to its importance as the first built entity in the UAE, has many contributions to empower the heritage knowledge and religious beliefs. It also creates stronger relationships among locals principally when they feel that all locals have common identity, language, customs, traditions and religion. This type of feeling can easily be educed in a visit to Qasr Al Hosn. Many activities and tasks used to be done in the fort such as signing treaties, conciliations meetings, solving social complicated problems, and many more social activities. (Taher 2014) Moreover, Qasr Al Hosn has a political importance in this region because of its part in creating the notion of a state and country. As mentioned, Sheikh Dhiyab Al Nahyan built that fort to protect water sources and; consequently, the fort attracted more people from the inner land of the region to transfer next to the fort. In other words, building the fort had made the people number increase dramatically which resulted into a community that needed laws and regulations. All these incidents helped build a government next to this political symbol on Liwa Island which is Abu Dhabi. And, defending water sources had not been achieved with stones only. It was successfully achieved by groups of local people who exploited the strategic position of the fort to defend their sources. It is clear that a local army had been formed to take risks away. Having a government and a volunteering army are related to politics. Thus, a sense of patriotism was produced after the fort had been structured, and the citizens got inspirations which connected them sturdily. The rulers or Sheikhs of this region who belongs to Bani Yas tribes used to stay in Qasr Al Hosn. It was like a supreme leading administration. For example, Sheikh Dhiyab Al Nahyan, who gave his orders to fortify it and expand it, led his small community from the fort. Qasr Al Hosn also supported people economically since it provided jobs through its preservation activities. The people who lived around the fort had received large amount of money from tourism and interested foreigners’ visits. The fort still receives a lot of people who are eager to learn about the Emirati culture and traditions. Those people benefit the country’s income. Emirati people who used to live on Liwa Island got much benefit after the fort’ building. They dared to stay on the island and practiced their work as pearl divers, fishing, and farming freely because they were living peacefully under the protection of the magnificent structure of Qasr Al Hosn. The fort, or palace nowadays, is being visited by many guests from all over the world to learn about the UAE’s heritage. This creates a sense of comfort among visitors who would be like indirect sales people all over the world by words of mouth about the culture and people of the UAE. To conclude, Qasr Al Hosn has been playing a pivotal role to support the region socially, politically and economically. It also has many heritage and cultural significances that provoke many people to find out more about such precious things. Therefore, Qasr Al Hosn symbolizes the all dimensions of the Emirati locals’ lives so that it is great privilege learning about this unfamiliar entity. Protecting national history and society has never been simple in either created or creating nations. An assignment obliges a joint exertion by both the administration and the subjects of any nation. United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been confronted with that errand. In excess of two and half hundreds of years, Qasr Al Hosn (a noteworthy building) has been safeguarded and restored in UAE (Maitra and Al Hajji 65). Qasr Al Hosninitially served as regal living arrangement, authoritative headquarter and the seat of force for the Al Nahyan leaders of Abu Dhabi. The building is synonymous with Abu Dhabis authentic occasions, development of the general public and change of economy. In endeavor to safeguard it, the building has experienced various structural changes, despite the fact that it stays to demonstrate the first and indigenous construction modeling of the Emiratis, delineating how the past can survive the present. Individuals everywhere throughout the world have typical thoughts and questions that are profoundly planted in their souls and brains. Puts additionally can have this characteristic and trademark for any group. In the UAE, local people have this important place that customizes the reference of their history. (Taher 2014)That place is Qasr Al Hosn which is a notorious protest that has influenced the personality of Emirati local people because of its verifiable centrality and its commitments socially, politically, and monetarily. Regardless of its long-standing history and rich past, examination has been constrained on the conservation stupor of Qasr Al Hosn. By and large, Qasr Al Hosn has not been agreed the level of research that it merits, bringing about restricted consideration for the notorious building. It is however clear that notable structures are powerless, and Qasr Al Hosn too merits additional consideration and safeguarding on the off chance that it is to last more than it has. Therefore, this study investigates and recommends an outline for the protection Qasr Al Hosn as social landmark in UAE. The study tests and talks about how the future character of Qasr Al Hosn ought to be protected, and how it will sustain into the following eras (Hellyer and Ziolkowski 4). Qasr Al Hosn was essential, and still it is one of the images that reflect the inventiveness of the Emirati local people. Above all else, Qasr Al Hosn was the first protective element for individuals life securities in the UAE owing to its part as a shield to secure water sources on this island many years back. Sheik Dhiyab Al Nahyan, a Bani Yas tribes well-known pioneer, manufactured this fortress and upheld its building to be seen from far away to save the profitable wellspring of water that had been found as of late. In this way, to reinforce this protective figure, Sheikh Dhiyab extended Qasr Al Hosn around then and its tower to assume its part exceedingly more compelling particularly a group had been developing from that point forward around that enormous building. Besides, Qasr Al Hosn is a wellspring of legacy, conventions and traditions. A great deal of festivals and services are held consistently in this spot to help local people to remember their history and precursors. Qasr Al Hosn is similar to a historical center or a display that hold numerous accumulations of customary and old questions, for example, coins, uniform, weapons, devices… and so forth. It likewise keeps the primitive shape that gives genuine faculties of past days. (Saloom 2014) Accordingly, Qasr Al Hosn, notwithstanding its significance as the first constructed substance in the UAE, has numerous commitments to engage the legacy learning and religious convictions. It likewise makes stronger connections among local people essentially. when they feel that all local people have regular personality, dialect, traditions, customs and religion. This sort of feeling can without much of a stretch be evoked in a visit to Qasr Al Hosn. Numerous exercises and undertakings used to be carried out in the stronghold, for example, marking bargains, placations gatherings, tackling social muddled issues, and a lot of people more social exercise. Preservation of historical monuments entails maintaining the honor of a monument through restoration and protection using both new and old materials. The preservation of Qasr Al Hosn may involve various stages that may or may not embrace restoration, rehabilitation and reinforcement. There are a number of benefits for preserving historical monuments such as Qasr Al Hosn and keeping them as it were in the 18th century. One of the chief reasons as to why Qasr Al Hosn has to be preserved is because it brings a character to Abu Dhabi. Qasr Al Hosn brings a certain charm to Abu Dhabi that no other new building can bring (Hellyer and Ziolkowski 9). Qasr Al Hosn functions as a reminder of the ancient things. This is an important reason why its preservation is important. Getting to know the past such as the architecture of the Qasr Al Hosn will assist the people of Abu Dhabi to understand where they have come from and where they are headed. When the locals of Abu Dhabi understand what their community has gone through and have reminders of their past then they can be more connected to Abu Dhabi. Preservation of the past provides people with more hope and understanding for what is to come (Maitra 75). Qasr Al Hosn should be maintained for the future since its preservation will mean that there will be savings on the costs of construction by use of Qasr Al Hosn instead of a new building. Qasr Al Hosn remains to be structurally good even though it was built long ago. When the authorities of United Arab Emirate save on buildings, they also save on the environment. This is because construction of a new building will need the use of construction materials like lumber, which affect the environment. Furthermore, even the usage of cement can has an influence on the environment. Thus, Qasr AL Hosn should be preserved and maintained for the future (Al-Awadhi para. 13). (Saloom 2014) The preservation of Qasr Al Hosn palace adds value to the lives of all the people of United Arab Emirate and foreigners. United Arab Emirate’s historical properties include an invaluable cultural resource (Beech, 2005). The Qasr Al Hosn provides an opportunity for appreciation of the legacy of United Arab Emirate’s rich past. Qasr Al Hosn has an important economic component, Qasr Al Hosn preservation activities created jobs. Preservation efforts benefit the people in the neighborhood of Qasr Al Hosn especially through tourism as many foreigners visit the palace during the Qasr Al Hosn festival. Effective preservation of Qasr Al Hosn does not only promote appreciation of the past, but it is also a chief feature of the successful economic development and community planning of the people of Abu Dhabi (Maitra 80). (Saloom 2014) The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority began a restoration project because of the discovery of the corrosive nature of condensation that was trapped between the original coral stone and the gypsum cement layers. A skilled team of conservators, historians and architects has been conveyed to carefully expose the original sea stone and coral stone, this has been done by the implementation of international restoration principles, and this is to allow the initial fabric of the wall to breathe again. The air conditioning which was installed to Qasr Al Hosn in the 1980s could also be a contributor by cooling the palace to 24 degree Celsius, the mixture of the high external temperatures and the internal cooling caused trapping of condensation within the walls of the palace on the coral stone’s surface (Hellyer and Ziolkowski 11). Initial archaeological research were carried out first so as to understand the construction patterns of the palace, this was to aid the restoration process and hence enable the conservation of the fort to be of the highest standards possible. The architects and historians were working on coming up with a traditional and original system of air conditioning. This form of air conditioning is an intelligent method of natural ventilation whereby sea breezes were being circulated through the rooms of the palace by means of a network of airways, which were directed by arches built in the exterior walls of the palace. These ensured Qasr Al Hosn had a very good and effective preservation implementation strategy (Maitra 102). Architects and historians faced a number of challenges in the restoration efforts; the biggest challenge was ensuring that no serious damage was done to the initial stonework especially to the stonework of the first watchtower. An electronic monitoring gadget that alerts the restoration team immediately instantly noted any movement in the palace that could be a cause of alarm to the palace’s structural stability. The process of removal was carefully undertaken, this was simply because there were quite many layers of gypsum-cement coating to deal with and because a layer of cement was added on the coral stone surface, and this was followed by a coat of gypsum (scratch) and a final layer of gypsum (Finishing). The government of Abu Dhabi came up with the Qasr Al Hosn festival; this is an annual festival that usually takes place in the Qasr Al Hosn grounds (Almazroui para. 17). The main reason of the event was to support appreciation of the identity and heritage of the Emirati, and to involve locals and foreigners in the restoration and preservation of the Qasr Al Hosn palace. The event is made up of varied cultural and historical exhibitions, a theatrical show, workshops activities and demonstrations. Foreigners and locals of the United Arab Emirate experience both the intangible and tangible heritage of the Emirate through a number of activities in the Qasr Al Hosn festival. This presents the Palace in historical context, putting it in the cultural life and map of Abu Dhabi (Hellyer and Ziolkowski 12). The Qasr Al Hosn event also featured performances, live demonstrations, storytelling, historical footage and images. Visitors of the Qasr Al Hosn festival took a journey to the marine, desert and oasis life of the past and the Abu Dhabi islands. The rich historical experience showcased traditional performances and crafts with workshops and traditional restaurants and souks for the visiting people to enjoy. There were also Qasr Al Hosn forums that took place for three days during the Qasr Al Hosn festival. There was a talk show that was hosted by the Sheika Salama Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, this show was hosted in both Arabic and English by a number of experts and it covered the many important issues that surrounded Qasr Al Hosn, its people and the United Arab Emirate (Maitra 108). The Qasr Al Hosn has a traditional heritage that is rich; preservation of this heritage is indivisibly associated with a confident national identity and the establishment of a stable and secure society that is at ease with its place in the world today. The Unite Arab Emirate government is firm on ensuring that economic growth results in the wider dissemination and conservation instead of depletion of the cultural heritage of the country, which should be protected not only because of its local significance but also because Qasr Al Hosn contributes to global heritage. Qasr Al Hosn preservation acts as a solid foundation for an outward-looking society, and was included in the 2008/2010 strategic framework that was unveiled by the Ministry of Culture, Community Development and Youth. A newly articulated agenda, Policy Agenda 2007/2008 formulated that without necessary interventions, Qasr Al Hosn and other cultural resources were threatened with dilution by rapid demographic and urban development (UAE interact para. 7). One of the ways by which the intervention was orchestrated was through the establishment of organizations such as the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage; this is an independent culture management organization, which aims at promoting, preserving and regulating the rich intangible and tangible cultural heritage of Qasr Al Hosn. Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage has the responsibility for the management of the Emirate’s cultural heritage sector, including its rich resources such as Qasr Al Hosn (Hellyer and Ziolkowski 12). The Dubai strategic plan also illustrates measures that will create increased awareness of the local culture of Qasr Al Hosn and strengthen the sense of belonging for the locals. Several organizations in the United Arab Emirate have been entrusted with the role of preserving the country’s heritage to the younger generations that would be unfamiliar with the Qasr Al Hosn. One of these organizations is the Emirate heritage Club, and that oversees a number of activities. As part of the Government’s conservation of architectural plans, the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, heads renovations in the Qasr Al Hosn palace. Qasr Al Hosn palace is considered as a cultural asset of the United Arab Emirate and hence should be preserved so as to provide a the future generation with a touchstone and act as an image of the world of yesterday (Maitra 202). The result from preservation of Qasr Al Hosn found out that the government of the United Arab Emirate has tremendously contributed to the preservation of Qasr Al Hosn to enable the future generations to gain knowledge of the historical monument. It is also realized that Qasr Al Hosn has led to patriotism among the locals of Abu Dhabi because they view it as being the source of the development of the city. The gains resulting from of its preservation signifies the importance of preserving cultural monuments for the future generation to learn from them. Limitation to the preservation of cultural monument is the lack of adequate knowledge among people on the economic benefits of preservation of these factors and the failure of most preserving societies to include locals in the preservation process. Works Cited Maitra, Jayanti, and ʻAfrāʼ Ḥajjī. 2001. Qasr Al Hosn: the history of the rulers of Abu Dhabi, 1793-1966. Abu Dhabi, UAE: Centre for Documentation and Research. Al-Awadhi, Abdullah. “Qasr Al Hosn: An inspiring National Heritage.” The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, 2013, march 13. Accessed 7 December 2014 Hellyer, Peter. and Ziolkowski, Michele. “Emirates Proceedings of the 1st Annual Symposium on Recent Palaeontological and Archaeological Discoveries in the Emirates Al Ain, 2003.” United Arab Emirate: Zayed Centre for Heritage and History, 2005. Accessed 7 December 2014 Maitra, Jayanti. Qasr Al Hosn: The History of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi, 1793-1966. Abu Dhabi, UAE: Centre for Documentation and Research, 2001. Print. UAE Interact. United Arab Emirates Yearbook 2007: Infrastructure. 2007. Accessed 7 December 2014 Taher, Nada Al. "Emirati culture shines forth at Qasr Al Hosn Festival." GulfNews. February 23, 2014. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/emirati-culture-shines-forth-at-qasr-al-hosn-festival-1.1294624 (accessed December 22, 2014). Read More