VISION of the Building of the Royal Academy of Sciences of the United Arab Emirates – the new Hill of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikma)

 proposed by Professor, Dr. Kaspars Klavins

 Project Justification from the Point of View of

Cultural History and Scientific Potential of the UAEPlaced at the crossroads of very ancient civilizations, The United Arab Emirates perpetuate a great cultural and historical tradition.

The UAE holds archaeological findings that date back to more than a million years. In ancient times, this land was the cornerstone of international trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. The islands and the coast of Abu Dhabi were part of a system of commercial trade that stretched from Ras Al Khaimah to Iraq around 7000 years ago.

The UAE holds prominent material evidence of ancient cultures, which the humanity uses to ask again the major questions about the attitude towards nature and the environment, the possibilities for civilizations to survive, about food, medicines, eating habits, etc.

The cultural and historical as well as scientific and technical potential of the Emirates is a unique source of inspiration for specialists, enthusiasts, politicians, entrepreneurs, tourists and all others who visit this country (let us remember, for example, Masdar City or Zayed Desert Learning Centre).

Project Justification from the Point of View of Location

Regretfully, lesser informed statesmen, diplomats and business people, who only pay short visits to Abu Dhabi, the administrative and financial metropolis of the UAE, cannot immediately see the cultural, historical

and scientific potential of this country. They do not gain a straightforward idea about it after just a short excursion around the city centre. In most cases, they do not have time to visit the many museums of the UAE, its cultural and exhibition centres in Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah

etc.

Apart from the already existing places of interest in Abu Dhabi, it would be most important to establish an information centre in the heart

of the downtown area, which should be fast and easily accessible and reflect the potentials of history, culture and science in the UAE and the

GCC region. It could be the destination of visits also during protocol events: for delegations at the highest level (statesmen’s visits etc.).

Apart from the already existing places of interest in Abu Dhabi, it would be most important to establish an information centre in the heart

of the downtown area, which should be fast and easily accessible and reflect the potentials of history, culture and science in the UAE and the

GCC region. It could be the destination of visits also during protocol events: for delegations at the highest level (statesmen’s visits etc.).

Project Justification from the Point of View of Historical Tradition

The centres of Arab civilization and culture have always shifted. Just like in Europe, where the role of particular cities, states and regions in attracting cultural values have changed in the course of history, so in the Arab world cultural centres have changed location under the influence of socio-economic processes, military invasions, etc. (Damascus, Baghdad, Al-Andalus, etc.).

Culture has always flourished under the best preconditions. However, while changing location, each subsequent centre of the Arab culture has always inherited the centuries old wealth of Arab culture and Islamic civilization.

In the long course of Arab history, this transplantation of culture is an organic phenomenon. The very shifting of the centre of civilization has itself become a tradition over the centuries. Today, the UAE capital Abu Dhabi is the evidence that the Arab axis of culture is shifting eastwards towards the Gulf cities.

Project Justification from the Point of View of the Current Situation

• Considering that the UAE has now become the cornerstone attracting innovations, sciences, culture and investments from the whole Arab world and the Gulf region, it could become the place for the renaissance of the mega project of the Arabian civilization. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE and the centre which accumulates scientific achievements and cultural values of the entire United Arab Emirates and the whole GCC region, would be the most appropriate place for such project.

• Recently, Abu Dhabi has become a global leader in arts. It plans to construct an opera house, a maritime museum and a national museum. Thus, it would be the ideal place for a centre illuminating the resources of culture, history and science from the entire United Arab Emirates (and all GCC countries) which could also become a tourism brand and the symbol of identity of Abu Dhabi.

Proposal

The new centre could be the UAE Academy of Sciences.

the new UAE Academy of Sciences could be named Royal Academy of Sciences

of the United Arab Emirates – the new Hill of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikma).

 

Basis of the concept of the building

It is essential that the building should magically blend with the environment in the same way that the

past blends with the present.

The building should be spiritually symbolical, making one to sense the completeness of the

universe given by Allah.

Bayt al-Hikma should be an original building that would be designed in line with the traditions of

Arab and Islamic culture and it should take an important place among other landmarks of this

country that are world-famous.

Since the Academy of Sciences should stand for the unity of the

country, all tones of sand characteristic to the Emirates

may be worked into the building as a confirmation of identity.

 

The building of the Royal Academy of Sciences, that represents a sand hill, created by the wind, matches the desert landscape of the United Arab Emirates. At the same time, such concept stresses the superiority and beauty of the god-created nature over any formation created and constructed by the man. Like a cave in the rock it hides treasures: hidden treasury of intellectual resources.

The sand hill symbolises the closeness of the Arab ancestors – ancient Bedouins – with the nature and the deep knowledge of all aspects of nature that in their unity represent the explanation of the world created by Allah. This corresponds to the UAE strategy of developing nature-friendly knowledge and technologies.

The two columns at the entrance door symbolise the Emerald Tablet (Tabula Smaragdina). The

knowledge symbolised by the Emerald Tablet in the Arab tradition comes from the prophet Idrīs. At the same time, from the point of view of Islam this

means that the wisdom concentrated in the Academy of Sciences is not only a human form of knowledge, but a science revealed to the prophet

Idrīs, regarding which it is stated in the Holy Qur’an in verse 19: 56-57: “Mention, in the Book, Idrīs, that he was truthful, a prophet. We took him

up to a high place”.

The motif of Idrīs (Hermes Trismegistus) is also important from the intercultural perspective, taking into account its former popularity in Europe (and in the West in general). It became known to Europeans in the Middle Ages only due to the Arab composition, after the translation of which into Latin Emerald Tablet was perceived as the symbol of the deepest wisdom in the West. Emerald Tablet has been depicted differently in Europe (as an engraving on a rock, etc.). The image of this rock could be used in the design of the central hall of the building.

Above the entrance into the building

there could be an inscription – a quote from the Quran urging to acquire

knowledge: "My Lord! Enrich me with knowledge…" (Quran, 20:114)

 وق)ل رب زدني علما

It is very important that the building is illuminated at night.

The parameters of the building depend on its location and how it blends with the landscape, therefore they may change in different circumstances. The location is of utter importance for this project and everything else depends exactly on it.

-The building must be ready for the World Expo 2020.

- Currently this is only a vision.

Importance of Bayt al-Hikma in the Future

Royal Academy of Sciences of the United Arab Emirates will be the first national Academy of Sciences of a Gulf Region Arab

country. 

Bayt al-Hikma may become one of the symbols of unity of the entire United Arab Emirates and promote the unity of the country. At the same time, it would provide a deeper insight in the Arab (and

the Emirates) culture for foreign visitors. 

As a national value, it might become a peculiar Emirates and GCC brand that would be represented on postcards,

commemoration coins, etc. and also attract attention of tourists. As a result of a good positioning within the landscape the

library building could become a bright landmark of Abu Dhabi panorama.

 Bayt al-Hikma would be the destination of visits also during

protocol events: for delegations at the highest level (statesmen’s visits, etc.).

Bayt al-Hikma should also work as a centre presenting a concentrated explanation of all scientific, technological and

art achievements of the United Arab Emirates and the cultural and historical heritage of the Arabian Gulf. Also the

internationally famous Emirate Book Fairs could be held here. 

The many universities and their branches that have been recently founded in the United Arab Emirates need a single common scientific research centre that they all would use

depending on their special areas. Bayt al-Hikma could perform such function.

 Bayt al-Hikma could also be the main location of Abu Dhabi

where foreign scientists and experts are invited, conferences and literary evenings held, as well as discussions with writers,

artists, etc. organised.

Let the Emirates Hill of Wisdom

become the sequel of the House of

Wisdom (Arabic: بيت الحكمة; Bayt al-

Hikma) of the ancient Baghdad!