Simply Abu Dhabi VI

5 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I well as developing the country’s infrastructure and education system. His son, His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, was also involved in the negotiations over the creation of the UAE. Sharjah Vibrant Sharjah is a beacon of culture within the UAE: it hosts an annual book fair for authors, publishers and literary enthusiasts, as well as the Sharjah Biennial for film creators and enthusiasts. It also boasts myriad museums - which exhibit on Islamic studies, natural history and more. The third-largest Emirate, Sharjah controls several sea ports on the eastern coast, which means it is the only Emirate to share borders with all the others. His Highness Sheikh Khalid binMohammed Al Qasimi (1931-1972) is Sharjah’s founding father. He became Ruler in 1965 after his cousin, HH Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan, was exiled. HH Sheikh Khalid participated in talks to create the federation from an early stage. He was killed in an attempted coup the year after the UAE was formed – after which his brother- His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi - eventually succeeded him. Ras Al Khaimah Sitting at the very top of the UAE on the border with Oman, Ras Al Khaimah was the last Emirate to join the UAE, waiting nine weeks after the initial agreement until February 1972. Ras Al Khaimah may not have the oil that some other Emirates enjoy, but with a host of other enviable advantages it is set for success in the twenty-first century. Superbly positioned on the Strait of Hormuz, it sees forty per cent of the world’s oil pass by. It is the UAE’s biggest producer of cement, and in 1980 founded Julphar, the first pharmaceutical company in the Gulf. The Awafi festival each spring, with sporting events, cultural exhibitions, and drama performances over a period of three weeks, is just one more reason why Ras Al Kaimah’s name - meaning ‘top of the tent’ - is appropriate in more ways than one. His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi (1918-2010) is Ras Al Khaimah’s founding father - he ruled the Emirate from 1948 until his death. Although Ras Al Khaimah was the last Emirate to join the UAE, HH Sheikh Saqr chaired the Trucial States Council and was a key player in the original discussions in which the UAE’s formation was discussed. HH Sheikh Saqr introduced progressive measures such as making education mandatory for girls: the country’s economy and social conditions improved under his rule. When he died in 2010, HH Sheikh Saqr was the world’s oldest reigning monarch, aged 92. When you experience the Emirates, we believe you will truly understand our definition of the UAE as “The Seven Shining Stars”. Seven individual Emirates, each one with character, charisma, elegance and beauty, that shines with such spiritual and tranquil magnetism to anyone who can see the light. All that is left to say is Love Life, Love the UAE. Welcome to Simply UAE and in this issue experience some of the wonders of the delightful Dubai.