Tribute to H.H. Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi

Sheikh Saqr bin Mohamed Al Qasimi became the ruler of the Sheikhdom of Ras Al Khaimah on 17 July 1948, after a bloodless takeover from his uncle and father-in-law Shaykh Sultan bin Salim al-Qassimi who was exiled to the Sheikhdom of Sharjah. Shaykh Saqr appointed his oldest son, Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, as the Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah in 1974. Shaikh Khalid was replaced by Shaikh Saud bin Saqr on 28 April 2003, and Khalid chose the Omani capital Muscat for his unconditional exile. The elderly Shaykh Saqr is one of the longest serving rulers in the world today, but no longer actively rules Ras Al Khaimah because of poor health. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr currently plays the most active role in ruling Ras Al Khaimah.

Shaikh Saqr refused to permit Ras Al Khaimah to join the

United Arab Emirates (UAE) when it was formed on 2 December 1971, because he claims Iran had invaded two Ras Al Khaimah islands and one Sharjah island on November 30, 1970, and Shaikh Saqr wanted guarantees from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan and the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai that the new UAE Federal Government would not relinquish claim to those islands (Abu Musa & the Greater and Lesser Tunbs). When the guarantee was granted, RAK joined the Federation of the United Arab Emirates on 24 February 1972.

After the 1948 coup, Sheikh Saqr had to gather the whole people of Ras Al Khaimah under his rule, and deal with the Bedouins (the People of the Deserts) from the south, the low land Mountaineers from the east, and a combination of Highlands Shihuhs and other tribes from the north, who had disagreed with the coup. This resulted in Sheikh Saqr's followers fighting those who opposed his rule. During that period, many people died fighting without knowing whom they were fighting against, as they did not know that Shaikh Sultan Bin Salem Al Qassimi had been exiled to Sharjah.

After Shaikh Saqr gained complete control on the whole country of Ras Al Khaimah, and in order to avoid further bloodshed among the tribes, he appointed Shaikhs (heads of tribes) in each tribe to keep each people within their area. The tribal Shaikh was the coordinator between the Ruler and the people of Ras Al Khaimah, and none of the tribes had the right to meet with the Ruler without the permission of its Shaikh. This system was set up to ease previous tensions and facilitate the affairs of the tribes. While the influence of the tribes has weakened since Ras Al Khaimah joined the United Arab Emirates in 1972 (the last country to join), the local Government still respects the Shaikhs of each tribe for their loyalty.

I have only one sure: Ras Al Khaimah is now a great place to live and to Invest and could be one of the best places in the world for tourism. That's why we did a company there called RAK EDIGAIA with H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Saqr Al Qasimi as partner.

Thanks for exist His Highness Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi.