Related: Seven highlights from the life of Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi
Sparsely developed, no buildings for long stretches, no paved roads and very few cars on the roads - that is how long-time residents of Sharjah remember the city in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
It was around this time, in 1972, when a young member of the Al Qasimi family was unanimously selected to become the Ruler of the Emirate.
And then began the rule of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, who on Tuesday completed 50 years in service.
He had big plans. He wanted to transform the emirate but preserve the heritage and culture of the city.
Long-time residents of the city recall the period just before Sheikh Dr Sultan came to power.
There was sand all around, the asphalt roads you see now did not exist, and the buildings were nowhere to be seen
Nawal Al Ashram,
Sharjah resident
Nawal Al Ashram, who came to the UAE in 1963 to take on a teaching job in Dubai, told The National she never imagined the city would change so much.
“The difference between Sharjah then and now is the difference between the land and sky,” she said.
Ms Al Ashram said she vividly remembers the day she landed in the emirate for the first time – before the UAE was formed.
"My plane landed at Sharjah Air Station," she said.
Sharjah Air Station was the oldest airport in the UAE and opened long before the sprawling international hubs that now serve Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The station was converted to a museum in 2000 and highlights the region's aviation achievements.
Ms Al Ashram said that was a time when goods and the latest products were more readily available in Sharjah than in other emirates, making it a popular shopping area.
“I remember going to Sharjah every Thursday for grocery shopping because that was when products arrived,” she said.
But because there were no air-conditioned malls, she said she often sat under the famous Rolla tree to escape the heat.
“My brother and I would sit in its shade when we came for shopping, as did many others because goods only came on Thursdays,” she said.
“But there was sand all around, the asphalt roads you see now did not exist, and the buildings were nowhere to be seen,” said the 83-year-old Jordanian citizen, who now lives in Umm Al Quwain.
Saeed Al Tareefi, 73, another long-time resident of the city, said he missed the chance of buying land at ridiculously low prices.
“I was offered a land plot to buy near Sabaa hotel in Sharjah, but I refused out of fear of how empty the area was,” he said.
“During my first years here, there were no buildings to see in Sharjah, just a few scattered and small residential neighbourhoods,” said Mr Al Tareefi, who started as a translator at Abu Dhabi port in 1969 but later became an education expert.
“I'm very proud that I have witnessed not only Sharjah’s journey of progress but that of the country and its formation.”
That was also a time when there was no culture of needing appointments to meet people, including the royals.
Sheikh Dr Sultan was just as accessible then as he is today – the only difference being that technology has replaced face-to-face interaction.
Ms Al Ashram said she often heard from others how men would go to the Ruler's house to share their concerns.
“His majlis was always open for all people to come and share their problems or joys,” she said.
Today, Sheikh Dr Sultan still listens to the problems of his people, albeit on the radio.
He is always aware of people’s needs and the problems they are facing. Sheikh Dr Sultan launched the Al Mabarrah radio programme in 2012 to stay in touch with the common people and offer them an easy channel to connect with him.
Residents often share their concerns on the radio. Sheikh Dr Sultan has been a regular listener for years. He answers queries, responds to complaints raised and orders new projects that can help to improve people’s lives.
Culture and building a city for its people was always at the core of Sheikh Dr Sultan's growth plan. He did not want concrete to replace culture.
“The city has [managed] to balance the development of the emirate where the progress didn’t kill the identity of the city," Ms Al Ashram said.
In less than a decade of Sheikh Dr Sultan's rule, the city got its new airport, a humanitarian services city, and Al Jazeera park.
During the 1980s, he established the Department of Culture, which later branched out into other departments such as Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah Book Authority, Sharjah Publishing City, and Sharjah Heritage Institute, among others.
It was around this time that the city launched Sharjah Theatre Days and its Children’s Culture Festival.
Centres and clubs geared to family, children, women and disabled people were opened.
"There was no road beyond the hotel I stayed in, just sand. But look at it now, it has become a global city, a cultural capital and an economic centre," Mr Al Tareefi said.
Sharjah Heritage Days festival – in pictures
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Results
2pm: Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.30pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m; Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m; Winner: Thegreatcollection, Adrie de Vries, Doug Watson.
4pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Oktalgano, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.30pm: Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m; Winner: Madame Ellingtina, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Mystery Land, Fabrice Veron, Helal Al Alawi.
5.30pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m; Winner: Shanaghai City, Jesus Rosales, Rashed Bouresly.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
RESULTS
Argentina 4 Haiti 0
Peru 2 Scotland 0
Panama 0 Northern Ireland 0
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Name: Ayisha Abdulrahman Gareb
Age: 57
From: Kalba
Occupation: Mukrema, though she washes bodies without charge
Favourite things to do: Visiting patients at the hospital and give them the support they need.
Role model: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
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Stage 5 results
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 3:48:53
2 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team -
3 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott -
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:00:04
5 Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) CCC Team 0:00:07
General Classification:
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 20:35:04
2 Tadej Pogacar (SlO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:01
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team 0:01:33
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:48
5 Rafał Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:02:11
Hales' batting career
Tests 11; Runs 573; 100s 0; 50s 5; Avg 27.38; Best 94
ODIs 58; Runs 1,957; 100s 5; 50s 11; Avg 36.24; Best 171
T20s 52; Runs 1,456; 100s 1; 50s 7; Avg 31.65; Best 116 not out
THE SPECS
Engine: AMG-enhanced 3.0L inline-6 turbo with EQ Boost and electric auxiliary compressor
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 429hp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh360,200 (starting)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Manchester United 2 Burnley 2
Man United: Lingard (53', 90' 1)
Burnley: Barnes (3'), Defour (36')
Man of the Match: Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
The five pillars of Islam
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
The story in numbers
18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Read more about the coronavirus
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000
On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
