Saturday, Dec 08, 2007
Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: "These are the coordinates for the island," says the pilot handing over a note with these numbers scribbled on it: N.24.30.31, E.52.20.15."
Off the coast of Abu Dhabi, Delma island can be seen below and it seems like a glimpse of the past.
Surrounded by the warm and calm deep blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, Delma has the potential to become a major tourist destination.
It is a paradise for those who long to watch the sun sink in the sea and bask in the sun. With dozens of farms scattered throughout the 60 square kilometre island, Delma feels like one is walking through history.
More than 20 archaeological sites have been found here dating as far back as 7,000 years. This is the main reason that prompted archaeologist Fat'hi Abdullah to make Delma his home in 1993.
"The history in this small island is incredible. There is so much potential in Delma and people are slowly realising this," he said.
Delma was one of the islands that became home to pearl divers and fishermen. Hundreds of pearling dhows once set sail from this small island to search for the treasures carefully tucked in the oyster's shells.
"Much of that has died since oil was discovered in the 1960s, but there is hope in reviving that culture once again," Abdullah said.
One of the oldest homes on the island belonged to a pearl merchant named Mohammad Bin Gasem Elmarkhi. It is more than 150 years old.
"Elmarkhi was arguably the most influential and affluent pearl trader in the region. He paid large amounts of money for the best pearls and sold them to royalty and wealthy people all over the world."
Because of its natural yet strategic location, Delma became a harbour for many ships and merchants who sailed through the Arabian Gulf en route to Asia or Africa. Markets were set on its shores and travellers from as far away as India came to buy and sell pearls.
In 1906, reference to the island was made in a book titled British Dweller by Al Sharka. The words read, "Delma Island became increasingly populated during the festive season of gathering the pearls."
It was the pearls and its mosques that attracted the attention of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Strategic location
After several visits to the island in the late 1970s, Shaikh Zayed ordered the setting up of a municipality office. Shaikh Zayed visited the island frequently to oversee the developments.
"There were no paved roads, buildings, a hospital and even shops 10 years ago," says Abdullah. "This was barren land, forgotten and tucked away unnoticed in the Arabian Gulf, until Shaikh Zayed arrived here," he said.
Farmers were given whatever they needed to sustain crops. Housing was provided free to those living in shanty homes. Fishermen were given equipment.
"This is Abu Dhabi on a much smaller scale. We have schools, mosques, a hospital, a bank, museum, hotel, paved roads and even an Etisalat presence," Abdullah laughs.
Delma Hotel meanwhile, sits quietly on the island's shore. "Not many people know about this island," Abdullah says. Part of the reason is there is no reliable transportation system.
"This is a beautiful life we live here, but it begins to be a problem if we have to go to the mainland," says 43-year-old policeman Abdullah Ishahy.
According to government figures, the population of the island fluctuates between 6,000 and 7,000. "It takes all day to travel to the mainland by boat. There is no proper schedule," Ishahy says.
"Delma is a part of the Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 ... Delma is going to become a major destination for tourists," Abdullah says.
For the locals, Delma is a treasure waiting to be discovered, and as much as they love the tranquil life on the island, they still will welcome the change.
By Marten Youssef
Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.
