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Sharjah
The Al Qasimi family of Sharjah is the larger of the
two ruling houses. (The two branches of the Qasimi
tribe rules Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah.)
Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi (1942) of
Sharjah became ruler in 1972, following the
assassination of his brother, Sheikh Khalid bin
Muhammad Al Qasimi (1965-72), killed in an
unsuccessful coup to restore his cousin, Sheikh Saqr
bin Sultan Al Qasimi (1951-65), whom the British had
deposed.
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras al Khaimah, emerged as a major maritime power
during the eighteenth century. The 'Qasimis' control
of trade in the Persian Gulf area led to conflict
with Oman and eventually with Britain, which was
consolidating its colonial empire in India.
Following several naval battles, the British finally
defeated the Qasimi in 1819, burning their ships and
the town of Ras al Khaimah. Because of this history,
the Qasimi inherited a historical hostility toward
the British.
Sheikh Saqr bin Muhammad Al Qasimi has ruled the
emirate since 1948. He is a contemporary of the
former ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan,
and, like him, tends to be suspicious of the
British. In 1971 he refused to accept Britain's
compromise for resolving Iran's claims to Tunb al
Kubra (Greater Tumb) and Tunb as Sughra (Lesser Tumb),
two tiny islands in the Persian Gulf. (More at
page:
International Disputes)
Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan has designated his son,
Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, as crown prince of the
emirate.
Other Emirates
The rulers of the other three emirates have limited
influence within the UAE. Ajman, Al Fujairah, and
Umm al Qaiwain are relatively small, poor, and
dependent on their wealthier neighbors for
development grants.
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi has ruled Ajman
since 1981.
Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmad Al Mualla has ruled Umm al
Qaiwain since 1981 as well.
In Al Fujairah, where a majority of the population
claims membership in the dominant Al Sharqi tribe,
Sheikh Hamad bin Muhammad Al Sharqi has ruled since
1974.
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