Chosen in 2008 the national tree of the Emirates
"Memory of the Nation" ... "Al Ghaf" ... the "tolerance" tree that Sheikh Zayed prevented from cutting
The flowers, fruits, leaves, branches, bark and roots of the Ghaf tree are resources and habitats for a variety of endemic plants and animals.
Emirates today
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«Memory of the Nation»
A weekly page provided by "Emirates Today", in cooperation with the "National Archives" of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, with the aim of introducing the way life in the Emirates before the federation, and during its early beginnings, and the great effort made by the founding fathers of the state for its establishment, and linking it to what the UAE leaders achieve, Today, her children are among the achievements the world has witnessed.
The world's celebration of the “International Day of Brotherhood and Humanity” on the fourth of February, in celebration of the “Document of Human Fraternity,” signed by the Sheikh of Al-Azhar and the Pope of the Catholic Church in Abu Dhabi in 2019, is evidence of the UAE's efforts to spread the values of tolerance, love and acceptance of others. On the world level, an approach established by the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless him, as one of the foundations of the state.
Emirati culture is full of many symbols associated with tolerance, generosity and coexistence, and among these symbols is the Ghaf tree, which the UAE had previously chosen as the official slogan for the "Year of Tolerance 2019", described by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Ruler Dubai, saying: "The Ghaf tree is the source of life and the title of stability in the middle of the desert. Its lush shades were a center for our ancestors to gather to consult on matters of their lives."
Al Ghaf is the national tree
The Ghaf tree was declared the national tree of the UAE in 2008, and this choice is due to its wonderful ability to adapt perfectly to the arid desert environment of the country, as it is a tree that tolerates drought, and can remain green even in harsh desert environments, in addition to its importance to humans. And animal and to maintain the balance of the environment as well.
The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan took care of planting trees in general, and Ghaf trees in particular, and issued directives to prevent cutting them in all emirates of the country, and he also ordered the cultivation of new forests from them, until there are millions of trees in the country.
The problem of desertification
The Ghaf tree is one of the most wild trees that can withstand temperatures and severe droughts, and it grows in the UAE abundantly with Aljurt, Neem and Sidr trees, as well as high salinity, does not consume much water and tolerates the fluctuations of the weather and winds, and it is suitable for cultivation in saline sandy soils, which makes Including an ideal solution to the problem of desertification, as the dunes are fixed, the soil improves, and they multiply automatically by launching new branches from their original roots, which made them the best and most suitable for what can be done with the afforestation of deserts, and the establishment of windbreaks with green protective belts, as well as used for the afforestation of streets, roads and public parks They decorate and give them a sophisticated aesthetic.
A botanical and ecological mine
The Ghaf tree is considered a botanical mine, in addition to being one of the richest trees in the benefits that the desert dwellers benefited from. They ate the leaves of Ghaf, used its wood as fuel and a material for construction and furniture, and set up their livestock sheds in the desert.
Today, an aesthetic advantage has been added to its economic value in some cities and villages, where it is cultivated intensively.
Among its environmental benefits is its ability to reduce carbon emissions through its absorption, thus helping to reduce the effects of climate change, as the Ghaf tree, which is up to 10 years old, can retain about 34.65 thousand kilograms of carbon dioxide annually, in addition to its ability to withstand drought. The tree can absorb water from 20 meters below the surface of the earth.
Ghaf trees play an integral role in the food chain in the ecosystem, if the final extinction of other species in that system is removed. The flowers of the Ghaf tree, its fruits, leaves, branches, bark and roots are considered resources and habitats for a variety of endemic plants and animals. Many birds build their nests in Ghaf trees, including Desert Eagle Owl, Brown-neck Raven, Doric and Long-legged Hawk.
Other species nest in hollows of logs and branches.
Many birds resort to these trees to sleep in.
And the larvae of beetles and butterflies on their fruits.
A gecko (Sam a leper) enters cracks in its rough bark to rest during the day, just as it places an egg in it.
The bees harvest the nectar of their flowers to produce high quality honey.
The cicada sucks the juice from its bark, its larvae extract food from the roots, and dendritic and threshing plants take from the Ghaf trees as supports that grow on them.
Their shades provide a favorable climate for many animals in the scorching summer heat, and the roots harbor germs that fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, increasing their fertility.
Nizwa Reserve
In recognition of the “Ghaf” place in Emirati culture and its environmental benefits, the “Ghaf Nizwi” reserve was established in Dubai, and it is considered one of the smallest reserves in Dubai, with the aim of preserving the ecosystem and its biological diversity. It is characterized by the presence of numbers of Ghaf trees that appear in the form of forests. Of the trees that cover the area, providing a shady environment and attractive to various types of birds and animals, and within the project of numbering old trees, Dubai Municipality recorded 5972 perennial Ghaf trees out of 10 thousand trees that were monitored in urban areas.
"Al Ghaf" in Emirati culture
The Ghaf tree has not been absent from Emirati literature and culture, in the past and present. The writer and researcher Sultan Al Amimi reveals, in his book “Lexicon Al Ghaf in the UAE”, which is the first dictionary of its kind issued in the region, that the history of the emergence of the Ghaf tree in Nabati poetry in the Emirates is old, and goes back According to the narrators for more than 300 years, as it is related to the oldest Nabataean poet whose poetry we reached in the Emirates, which is Majdi bin Zahir (died at the beginning of the 18th century). The lip service narrators tell him about the Ghaf tree, which he resorted to, in order to save his camel «choose - camel Ibn Zahir »from death saying:
"If the ghaf works for the benefit of his chosen one, she will die, while he is for her."
In the book, Al-Amimi discusses the association of "Ghaf" with popular culture in the Emirates, explaining: “Ghafeh is clearly present in the local folk culture of the people of the Emirates in many aspects. In one aspect, the phenomenon of names is evident, given to quite a few of the Ghaf trees and their locations. And its growth, which helped immortalize quite a few historical events, names, and environmental phenomena in the region, such as: Ghafat Zayed, Oud Metha, Dumiyeh Bakhita, Sharaf Rukban, and Qat Al-Saffard, as well as some areas, wells and sandy heights bearing names in which the presence of the Ghaf tree or its proximity played a role in deriving the name. Such as: Umm Ghafa, Al Ghuwaifat and Al Ghafia, and these names bear the connotations of the philosophy of her name.
Al Ghaf and tolerance
Researcher Sultan Al-Amimi tends to elaborate an explanation of the relationship of “Al Ghaf” with the values of tolerance and coexistence in society, pointing out that “this coexistence between humans, animals and plants in the region shows important societal aspects for it stemming from a long-term vision of the present and future of different generations, and a deep awareness With the importance of preserving the ecological balance in the region, there is no doubt that this coexistence is part of the system of tolerance whose presence is not limited to the human world only, but also relates to humans and animals, and it is the starting point through which tolerance and coexistence between the people of the region and the rest of life can be found. , Where the selfishness of individual living disappears, and concern for everyone’s life and their access to adequate and equal resources for life and living under the umbrella of the justice system is present, even in this case ».
Several uses
Ghaf trees have several advantages, which makes them suitable for many uses. Their wood does not emit smoke when burning, which makes it suitable for cooking food, in addition to its use in construction purposes and the manufacture of wooden tools and furniture. The fruit of the Ghaf tree can be crushed and turned into sweet bread that is eaten as food. Mofid is rich in protein and sugar, and gum from Ghaf trees is used in pottery paint, and as a glue, and its components are included in the manufacture of hair dyes.
While many people are accustomed to planting the Ghaf tree for its medicinal benefits, it works to solve multiple digestive problems, and is used in the manufacture of medicines that specialize in treating sore throats, skin diseases, and others.
Many birds build their nests in Ghaf trees, such as desert owls and ravens.
Ghaf trees play an integral role in the food chain in an ecosystem.
It is one of the most wild trees that tolerate extreme temperatures and droughts.
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5972
The Ghaf tree is a perennial in Dubai.
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