Imagine a remarkable collection that showcases the rich history of the UAE. A dedicated Emirati collector has amassed over 2,000 rare and historical artifacts, including personal belongings of Sheikh Zayed and vintage military items, reflecting the early days of the UAE. Saeed Salem Al Heabsi, 51, has transformed a room in his Abu Dhabi home into a museum-like space, displaying a treasure trove of rare antiques. He has reserved a special section for the UAE's founding father, featuring old logos and shields gifted to him.
"I created this section out of love for the nation's founder. These collectibles are precious and hard to come by. I obtained them through auctions in the UAE, as I am always hunting for rare pieces," he told Khaleej Times. Al Heabsi owns a unique pen manufactured in the year of Sheikh Zayed, one of its kind in the entire UAE. He also possesses a spray, knife, spoons, cups, and even a card holder made of silver, all bearing the first logo of the UAE, which belonged to Sheikh Zayed.
His collection extends beyond these items. He has various old military logos used by different forces' branches, such as the police, Ministry of Interior, customs, and more. "This is the legacy of our country and a reflection of our past. It must be preserved," he noted.
Al Heabsi's passion extends to a diverse collection that includes daggers, swords, distinctive pens, and even coffee pots, with one in particular that once belonged to Sheikh Zayed himself. “I once saw a video of Sheikh Zayed drinking from this pot,” he explained.
Among his collection is a model of a sword once worn by the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed during the fifth year of his father’s rule. "This sword was part of Sheikh Zayed's belongings when they were put up for sale. I was fortunate enough to find it and realised it resembled the one worn by Sheikh Khalifa," he explained.
In his quest for historical items, Al Heabsi acquired a silver ring with a zirconia stone that once belonged to the Libyan Muammar Gaddafi Battalion. "I found this ring at an auction, and the sellers didn't recognise its significance. When I got home and examined it closely, I discovered the engraving that references Gaddafi. After some research, I confirmed it was indeed his ring," he said.
Al Heabsi's commitment to heritage and culture is profound. He once undertook the ambitious project of reuniting after 47 years the cast of a popular heritage television series called 'Ashhafan'. He said: "I was determined to bring them together. I travelled to Bahrain and even searched for one actor's house for three hours, armed with just a name and a house number."
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