Each of the seven emirates has its own ruler drawn from its ruling family, who is also a member of UAE’s Supreme Council, and each emirate has its own government which administers its affairs within the emirate.
The ruling families of each emirate have held office for centuries, even if their territorial authority varied according to the turbulent changes of tribal politics. Traditionally the ruler of an emirate who also carried the personal title of shaikh, maintained his authority as long as he was able to retain the support of the people. Part of this process was the unwritten but strong principle that people should have open access to their ruler through a frequent and open majlis, in which everyone is allowed to voice an opinion.
The seven emirates were determinedly independent of each other, even if they all had a trucial relationship with the British government from the early 1800s, and each had a strong sense of their own traditions and history. As they moved into the 1950s the British started a Development Office for the Trucial States, which the rulers then developed in the 1960s into a Trucial States Council.
Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi – Since 1974
Shaikh Hamad, who became ruler of Fujairah when he was only 25, has overseen significant developments in health, education, construction, and tourism. He also served as UAE Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries from 1971 to 1974 and frequently represents the President of the UAE at global conferences. Shaikh Hamad studied at the Eastbourne School of English and the Mons Officer Cadet School in the UK, and is an eloquent speaker in English and Arabic.
Crown Prince
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi
Former Rulers: 1942 to 1974 Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Sharqi
1936 to 1942 Shaikh Saif Bin Hamad Al Sharqi
Geographic Facts:
Fujairah’s Modern history began in 1808 when Shaikh Mohammad Bin Mattar, leader of the Sharqi tribe, built his castle and the old city now surrounding it.
Size: Fujairah covers an area of around 1.450 square kilometres
Location: Fujairah is located on the eastern coast of the UAE adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, and is the only emirate on the Gulf of Oman.
Economy: In an economy largely based on fishing and agriculture, other local industries include cement, stone crushing, mining and construction. The emirate also has a flourishing free trade zone.