Indo-Arab scholars explore depths in ties at UAE seminar

Updated on: Thursday, November 24, 2011

Scholars and academicians of India and Middle East to discuss the impact of centuries of exchanges between Indians and the Arabs in the fields of history, art and culture.

They have gathered in Abu Dhabi for this purpose.

The discussions will be held at a two-day seminar focussing on Indo-Arab relations, that was inaugurated today. Being held in collaboration with Sultan bin Zayed's Cultural and Media Centre, the seminar specially focuses on the UAE and includes talks on various subjects ranging from Indo-Arab commercial relations to contribution of Islamic thought on Indo-Islamic art and architecture and the role of
language and literature in the development of Indo-Arab cultural ties.

Subjects such as musical ties between India and Yemen and Indian impact on the traditional costumes of the Arabian Gulf will also be discussed at the seminar. Scholars from Oman, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are taking part in the seminar.

Speaking on the occasion, India's ambassador to the UAE, M K Lokesh said, based on archaeological evidence, Indo-Arab interactions can be traced to the third millennium BC. "Some of these evidences include artifacts of embellished pottery and sea shells recovered from Harappa in North India and Dilmun civilisation of Bahrain and Oman. One of the three ancient trade routes between India and Europe passed through the Strait of Hormuz and up the Gulf on to Mesopotamia and Aleppo," he said.

"These contacts continue till present day through trade and massive movement of people from India to the Arab world and vice versa in the form of pilgrimage and labour migration. The purpose of this seminar is to revisit our rich common heritage and build the future on these strong foundations," Lokesh said.

Opening the seminar, Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said relations between India and the Arab lands are rooted deep in history and the bonds of friendship between UAE and India have a long past.

"You may recall that the Indian rupee has been used in the UAE for a long time as a result of trade relations between the two countries. India was a market for UAE's exports, mostly natural pearls while the UAE opened viable market for imports from India leading to a full harmonisation of relations between the two peoples," Sheikh Sultan said.

He said that trade ties between India and the UAE continue to be a model for cooperation, understanding and respect for mutual interests. Various academicians from India are taking part in the seminar.

Indo-Arab scholars explore depths in ties at UAE seminar

More Education news