The Emirates News Agency mourned its founder, Peter Hellyer, a historian and journalist who dedicated 40 years to documenting Emirati history. In a statement, "WAM" mentioned: "The media family in the UAE has lost one of its pioneering colleagues who left a remarkable mark in the documentation of the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates, the historian, writer, and Emirati media consultant, Peter Hellyer, who passed away last night after a life full of achievements." The Englishman who loved the UAE until he became one of its own may Allah have mercy on him.
It added: "Peter, along with the late Ibrahim Al Abed, participated in the establishment phase of the Emirates News Agency /WAM/ and founded the English language department at the agency. He authored numerous books on topics related to the environment and the rich archaeological heritage of the UAE and worked as a journalist, historian, and petroleum consultant."
It continued: "The late Peter was known for his great passion for archaeology, having been the co-founder and director of the Archaeological Survey Authority of Abu Dhabi, which discovered many significant archaeological sites in the UAE. He also participated in a project to excavate artifacts on Sir Bani Yas Island at a site of a 1,400-year-old monastery, which is considered one of the oldest discovered Christian sites in the region and has received high international attention and appreciation. Peter's dedication and loyalty to this land and its people were evident through his commitment to preserving the environment and history in the UAE."
According to "The National" magazine, Hellyer, who passed away at the age of 75, began his relationship with the UAE when he moved to the country in the 1970s to film documentaries about Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's foreign visits. Peter Hellyer was granted Emirati citizenship for his services to the state, and in 2013 he received the "Abu Dhabi Medal," the highest civilian honor that can be awarded in the emirate, for his work in identifying key archaeological sites in the UAE, including the discovery of a Christian monastery in the 1990s on Sir Bani Yas Island.
Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan remarked about Peter Hellyer, stating that he was "the Englishman who loved the UAE until he became one of its own."
