Dubai: Shaikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and member of the Supreme Council, who passed away early in the morning on Wednesday, will be fondly remembered for his modesty, vision, wisdom and generosity.
Born in 1920, Shaikh Saqr was brought up in an Islamic-Arabic environment by his father, the late Shaikh Mohammad Bin Salem, who ruled the emirate between 1917 and 1919.
Belonging to the same generation as the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the nation, Shaikh Saqr became Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah on July 17, 1948 and played a key role in putting the emirate on the road to progress and development. But perhaps his greatest achievement was his commitment to education. With considerable foresight, Shaikh Saqr understood it was only through education that RAK could progress. By 1960, he had set up 10 schools, five each for boys and girls.
An industrial training centre was also set up in 1969, by which time the number of schools had risen to 27, with around 6,000 male and female students.
Besides supporting the development of trade, industry and economy, Shaikh Saqr also gave people access to good health care by opening several hospitals.
Strong relations
Outside the UAE, Shaikh Saqr enjoyed strong relations with leaders of the region and visited many Arab and foreign countries. At an internal level, he was a wise ruler with a broad vision.
When oil was discovered in the emirate, he commented: “We hope, in three years, to achieve what other countries have achieved in ten years, and we will not rely in our development mainly on oil.”
Meanwhile, His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi has been appointed the new Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Supreme Council member. Born on February 10, 1956, Shaikh Saud has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from USA’s Michigan State University. He was appointed Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah in June 2003.
Shaikh Saud has a vision of economic openness and seeks to build a strong diversified economy by attracting investment and development resources.
A believer in a free marketeconomy for the UAE as a whole, and for Ras Al Khaimah, he is a firm supporter of innovation and fair competition as a way towards development.
