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Shaikh Saqr Al Qasimi: Years of achievements

RAS AL KHAIMAH – His Highness Shaikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and member of the UAE’s Federal Supreme Council, died early today.

History will show that during the more than six decades since he acceded to power in 1948, he added rich pages to the achievements of the nation, displaying honourable attitudes that had a major effect on the political and social life in his emirate.

Known for his courage, wisdom and his ability to establish security, peace and order, he also paid great attention to education and, in governing, devoted himself to all aspects of the emirate’s affairs, in particular everything that would ensure a decent life for its citizens.

Shaikh Saqr was the great-great-great-great grandson of Shaikh Rahma bin Mattar bin Qayed, the founder, in 1760, of the Al Qasimi state in what is now the northern emirates. He was born in Ras Al Khaimah city in 1920, and was brought up in an Islamic Arabic environment under the care of his father, Shaikh Mohammed bin Salem, who had been ruler of the emirate between 1917-1919. Throughout his life, he was particularly proud of the achievements of his ancestors, who at the beginning of the 19^th Century had built up the largest navy in the Arab region. Loyal to the Arab nation as a whole, he was a strong supporter of issues related to rights, justice and peace.

Benefiting from devoted parental care, Shaikh Saqr was given a religious and academic education from an early age. Growing up in the company of his siblings, he memorised many verses from the Holy Quran and the Hadith (saying of the Prophet) and also absorbed the fundamental principles of Islam. He was taught to read and write before the age of ten by a number of eminent local scholars, among whom was Fatima, the wife of Hamad Al Ragabani, who was known as ‘The Moroccan.’ His subsequent education was provided by teachers from Najd, in Saudi Arabia, who were brought by the Ruler of the day to teach the children of the ruling family, and by Shaikh Sayyed Al Hashimi, who provided more formal education in religion and Arabic in a school in the house of Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Mahmoud.

Shaikh Saqr became Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah on July 17^th 1948 and worked since that time to lay the foundations of national unity among the various tribes in the emirate and to unite them. He was also keen to develop the emirate and to work to achieve its progress in various economic and social fields. As a result of his efforts, Ras Al Khaimah made significant progress in terms of science and development.

At the national level, Shaikh Saqr was elected in 1965 as Chairman of the Trucial States Council, comprising the rulers of the emirates, a post he retained until the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. During his chairmanship, much was achieved.

Shaikh Saqr also worked side by side with his fellow Rulers of the emirates to establish a solid federation and remove all differences between the country’s residents.

The establishment of the UAE federation faced many obstacles. Eventually, however, the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the other Rulers were able to overcome all obstacles and on 2^nd December 1971, the UAE was formed, becoming the 18^th member of the Arab League and the 132^nd member of the United Nations.