by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Rulers of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates,  Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain, established in 1971. Each emirate has its own ruler, and one of the rulers is elected as President and Head of State of the UAE.  There is also a Vice-President and Prime Minister who serves as Head of Government. Together, the seven rulers make up the Federal Supreme Council, the highest legislative body in the UAE.

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi

The Emir of Abu Dhabi is Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He was born on March 11, 1961, and is the son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Emir of Abu Dhabi, the first President of the United Arab Emirates, and Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi, his third of seven wives.

Sheikh Mohamed became Emir of Abu Dhabi upon the death of his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan on May 13, 2022, and was elected President of the United Arab Emirates the next day. Sheikh Mohamed had been the de facto ruler of Abu Dhabi since his half-brother Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke in 2014.

Sheikh Mohamed was first educated at The Royal College in Rabat, Morocco, where he was a classmate of King Mohammed VI of Morocco. Sheikh Mohamed then returned to his hometown of Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, and completed his secondary education. He attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Sandhurst, England, graduating in 1979.

In 1981, Sheikh Mohamed married Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan. They had four sons and five daughters including Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, born in 1982, who is the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

The Emirate of Dubai

The Emir of Dubai is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He was born July 15, 1949, the third son of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai from 1958-to 1990.

He was educated in Dubai and attended the Bell Educational Trust’s English Language school in the United Kingdom. He was named Crown Prince in 1995 by his elder brother, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who had succeeded their father as Emir of Dubai in 1990. Sheikh Mohammed became the Emir of Dubai in 2006 after the death of his brother Sheikh Maktoum. Following his brother’s death in January 2006, Sheikh Mohammed became Emir of Dubai, and was elected the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates.

Of the seven rulers in the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed is one of the more widely known around the world. An avid fan of horse racing and breeding, he owns several major horse farms around the world. He is often seen at races in the UK, the most prominent being Royal Ascot, held each year in Windsor.

Sheikh Mohammed’s senior wife is Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, his first cousin. They married in 1979, and have twelve children including his son and heir, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

In 2004, Sheikh Mohammed married Princess Haya bint Hussein of Jordan, daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan, and half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan, as his junior wife. The couple had two children. Sheikh Mohammed divorced Princess Haya under Sharia Law in February 2019 but he did not inform her. In the early summer of 2019, Princess Haya took her two children and fled to London where she sought political asylum and a divorce. Haya now lives in London and as an envoy of the Embassy of Jordan, she is able to remain in the United Kingdom and was granted diplomatic immunity and protection under the Geneva Convention.

 In March 2020, the High Court in London ruled that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inflicted “exorbitant” domestic abuse on his wife and granted Princess Haya sole custody of their children. In 2021, Haya was granted full custody of her children by a British court.  In March 2022, the British High Court declared that Haya had been a victim of “domestic abuse”, and she was announced as the sole person in charge of the children’s schooling and medical care.

The Emirate of Ajman

The Emir of Ajman is Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi. He was born in 1931, the son of Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. The Emir was educated in Dubai and later studied in Cairo. He became involved in government after Ajman joined the UAE in 1971, serving as deputy ruler and Crown Prince. He became ruler of Ajman upon his father’s death, on September 6, 1981.

His eldest son and heir is Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince and President of the Executive Board.

The Emirate of Fujairah

The Emir of Fujairah is Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi. He was born September 25, 1948, the son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Emir of Fujairah.

Sheikh Hamad attended the Eastbourne School of English, and the Mons Military Academy, both in the UK. He served as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries for several years before taking the throne. He became Emir of Fujairah upon his father’s death in 1974.

He is married to Sheikha Fatima bint Thani Al Maktoum and the couple has six children, including his heir, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.

The Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah

The Emir of Ras al-Khaimah is Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. He was born February 10, 1956, in Dubai, the son of Sheikh Saqr bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Emir of Ras al-Khaimah.

Initially educated in Ras al-Khaimah, he later studied economics at the American University of Beirut. Following the outbreak of war in Beirut, he transferred to the University of Michigan, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Political Science.

Sheikh Saud was appointed Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler in 2003 when his father removed his elder brother from the position. He became Emir of Ras al-Khaimah upon his father’s death in October 2010.

His son, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi is Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah.

The Emirate of Sharjah

The Emir of Sharjah is Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. He was born July 6, 1939, the son of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saqr Bin Khalid Al Qasimi and Sheikha Maryam Bint Ghanem Bin Salem Al Shamsi.

Sheikh Sultan received his primary education in Sharjah, Kuwait City, and Dubai. He then attended Cairo University, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1971. In 1985, he earned a Doctorate in Philosophy with distinction in history from Exeter University in the UK; and in 1999, earned a second Doctorate in Philosophy in Political Geography from Durham University in the UK. He is a noted historian and has published numerous books and theatrical works.

His senior wife was Sheikha Moza bint Salim bin Mohammed bin Manee Al Falasi, with whom he had two children. His eldest son, Crown Prince Mohammed, passed away in 1999. His second wife is Sheikha Jawaher bint Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, with whom he has four children. Sheikh Sultan became Emir of Sharjah in 1972, following the death of his brother, Sheikh Khalid III bin Muhammed al-Qasimi.

Following his son’s death, Sheikh Sultan named a distant relative, Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan al-Qasimi, as Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

The Emirate of Umm al-Quwain

The Emir of Umm al-Quwain is Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla. He was born October 1, 1952, the son of Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mu’alla, Emir of Umm al-Quwain. He received his primary education in Umm al-Quwain and attended high school in Lebanon. He then earned his degree in Economics from Cairo University in 1974. He was named Crown Prince in 1982.  Sheikh Saud succeeded as Emir of Umm al-Quwain in 2009, upon his father’s death.

He is married to Sheikha Sumaya bint Saqr bint Mohammed al Qasimi, a sister of the Emir of Ras al-Khaimah. The couple has ten children including Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, The Crown Prince of Umm al-Quwain.

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