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In his book *The History of Slaves in the Arabian Gulf*, Hisham Al-Awadi attempts to write objectively about one of the most sensitive topics in Gulf societies—the narrative of slavery in the region. The book is considered a valuable study that integrates various disciplines, including sociology, history, and geography, to comprehensively examine the fundamental question from multiple perspectives.

**Published by Dar Al-Tanweer for Printing, Publishing, and Distribution**, *The History of Slaves in the Arabian Gulf* is part of a distinguished collection of books on history and geography.

### About *The History of Slaves in the Arabian Gulf*
The book sheds light on a significant and controversial segment of Gulf history—the enslaved people. Although they played a major role in the culture and economy of the region, they have been largely excluded from the official historical narrative.

The author has faced criticism and questions regarding the purpose of highlighting this painful period in history and revisiting the suffering of a group whose descendants now live freely and are integrated into society. However, it is time for this perspective to shift, and for people to recognize that the role of enslaved individuals was both vital and honorable in shaping and enriching the societies they lived in. Their influence is evident in language, art, traditions, cuisine, clothing, and their contributions to the economy—both before and after the oil boom.

Thus, it is impossible, and even unethical, to ignore them, their struggles, and the injustices they endured, as well as their role in building our communities. The author relies on official British documents that provided enslaved individuals with an opportunity to express themselves. These documents and personal accounts do not portray those descended from this group in a negative light; rather, many contemporaries of the era condemned the injustices suffered by enslaved people. It is important to acknowledge that a significant number of them were not born into slavery but were free individuals who were kidnapped.