UAE at 50; Journey of a nation

Celebrations are in full swing in UAE as the country celebrates its 50th National Day today. Prominent buildings have been lit up in the colours of UAE for the country’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. The country will celebrate the milestone with heritage-rich events, music and dance performances and sports activities.

What we now know as the United Arab Emirates began as the Trucial States, when the British got the relevant sheikhs together to sign the General Maritime Treaty of 1820. This and a series of truces, including The Perpetual Treaty of Maritime Peace agreed in 1853.

This meant the Britsh were at the forefront when oil was discovered in 1958 and then first exported by Abu Dhabi four years later. As oil revenues rose, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (who came into power in 1966) started pumping money into his emirate, constructing schools, housing, hospitals and roads.

In 1969, Dubai began exporting too, with its ruler, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, following a similar path of infrastructure building to hugely increase his people’s quality of life. (Sharjah joined the party a little while later but to similar effect).

As US companies began to grab the lion’s share of oil contracts and the Trucial States became too expensive for Westminster to run, the British announced in early 1968 that it would be withdrawing by the end of 1971, thus paving the way for the birth of the UAE.

The UAE, a staunch opponent of political Islam, has become something of a steward in the turbulent region. -(Agencies)