UAE royals, British soldiers have shopped at this Emirati's 65-year-old store

Abdullah Ali Mohsen, 82, has been running his trading shop for the last 65 years. Among his customers at the store that is 15 years older than the UAE were royals and British soldiers from when the Emirates were Trucial States.

Ali Mohsen, who started his career at the mere age of eight, was among the very first traders in Ras Al Khaimah. And to date, he makes sure he comes to his store every single day to interact with his customers personally and retain the bond he shares with them.

How he started his business

Ali Mohsen spoke to Khaleej Times, recollecting how his trading career began.

"It was with the help of a prominent Emirati businessman. He was one of my first clients for fodder, flour, and barley."

His mentor addressed him by a name that would be famous in what was then the Trucial States.

"He called me 'Abdullah Saboos'," said the octogenarian. His new name gained popularity not just among the Trucial States, but also amid British commanders and soon-to-be Emirati royalty.

Ali Mohsen established his shop in what is now the Ras Al Khaimah Old Market.

"This market had just about four shops on either side of the road. A grocery, which is mine, a gold merchant, a date trader, and a fish shop, which catered to the daily needs of the residents."

He recollects the boom in business after the union.

"With just four shops, the locality turned into a marketplace with almost everything on offer. I don't know the number of business establishments currently on this lane."

Royal recognition

Mohsen looks back on the moments that made him a popular trader back in the old days.

"Once, I had gone to meet the then Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. As he heard my name 'Abdullah Saboos', he directed his subordinates to present me in front of him," said Mohsen.

Mohsen also cherishes the moment the then-ruler of Ras Al Khaimah invited him to help set up a marketplace and discuss business ideas.

"Sheikh Saqr called on all the traders in the emirate to gather at Digdagga. I went along with my friend Haider bin Saeed."

Remembering his fellow traders' names, Mohsen said: "Hassan Ali, Musli, Singhes, Wahidi and Asaad were also present at the Digdagga. We all brought goods in bulk and sold around the emirate."

Ali Mohsen's clientele included both common residents and influential elites.

After this meeting, the Ras Al Khaimah trading sector was headed to change for the better.

"We liked the ruler's plan for our business, and he provided land to build our house and shop at Digdagga," said Mohsen.

Digdagga soon gained attention, with the area brimming with life as more people moved there.

"Following the traction, the ruler hired two companies to develop Digdagga. I still remember two people from the company, Morgan and Manditan, who were my buyers."

Mohsen was very positive about the development. Pointing to the development work, he said: "The companies improved the soil quality of the land and planted lemon trees, watermelons, melons, eggplants and tomatoes, which boosted the agriculture trade in Ras Al Khaimah."

This got the region on the agriculture map among neighbouring states. "Our produce was exported to Qatar, Dubai and other nearby countries. Our production was known for its outstanding quality, and the emirate has maintained its reputation in this field," he said.

"Ahmed bin Rashid anchored his boat at sea and we used it for our trade."

Decades-long friendship

Some people enter your life as a blessing, and for Mohsen, it was Abdullah Ibrahim Al Wahabi, who is nearly 10 years his senior.