This weekend, 40 years ago, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan spent a day with his grandchildren watching a camel race in Abu Dhabi. The rare black-and-white photo taken on July 14, 1984, by Khaleej Times photographer Mohammed Kaleem shows the UAE’s Founding Father sitting relaxed as other sheikhs and government officials were also enjoying the competition.
Camel racing is a traditional sport that has been practised for centuries on the Arabian Peninsula. It was believed to have started in the 7th century and organised by Bedouin tribes as part of cultural events, ceremonies and celebrations during weddings or birthdays.
Camels are called “the ships of the desert” that helped the nomadic Bedouin survive for centuries. And it was only fitting that Sheikh Zayed continued the tradition for the hardy creatures that deserved to be honoured.
