UAE celebrates first batch of female falconers

The first group of female falconers that was taught skills to handle and deal with falcons and the importance heritage, has graduated in Abu Dhabi.
The Mohamed Bin Zayed School of Falconry and Desert Physiognomy, which is based in Telal Resort in Al Ain, celebrated the graduation of the first group of female falconers in the world, who mastered the principles of Arabian Falconry and its morals, rules, and ancient arts that are related to the conservation of nature.
The female falconers were also taught the basic principles of the desert and the enhanced ability to deal and live in it.
Majed Ali Al Mansouri, executive director of Emirates Falconers Club congratulated the female graduates, stressing that the school encourages the first generation of female falconers, aged between 7 and 13, after they have become qualified to engage in this global cultural heritage.
He noted that the UAE with its leadership, government and people believes in the importance of spreading the understanding and awareness of the value of falconry as a live heritage and a collective human art, with the message of education and translating its objectives in real life through the development and nurturing of new generations so they can become the falconers of tomorrow.
"The Mohammed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School has always played a pivotal role since its establishment in translating the aspirations and vision of the UAE leaders to establish a leading scientific platform and a specialized research academy in the world, to conserve the heritage of falconry, its morals, desert physiognomy and passing it on to the future generations," said Al Mansouri.
"The Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School presents its curricula in English, which was among its main plans since its founding, and thankfully today we witness the graduation of the first group of girls who do not speak Arabic. This is a great achievement and it affirms the reality of the UAE as a nation that ranks first in the world for peaceful co-existence among different people and achieves the slogan of the Emirati falconers of "One World..One Heritage..One Spirit."
On his part, Butti Mattar Al Khayili, director of educational programmes of the school, said: "At the Mohamed Bin Zayed School, there are advanced educational programmes that focus on theory at first before moving to the practical side. This will help them to know the rules of falconry and put their abilities to test as well as the definitions of some practices related to the breeding of falcons such as how to light a fire using primitive methods, how to make original Arabic coffee and the making of traditional cuisine."
The Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School graduated more than 200 male and female falconers since it was officially opened in December 2016.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com