Museum detailing RAK history in photographs opens after four-year slog

RAS AL KHAIMAH // After almost four years of painstaking research and collection, Najeeb Abdullah Al Shamsi’s dream of a photo history of RAK open to the public is now a reality.

Through still and moving images, RAK Photo Museum, which opened last month, details the political, economic and social transformation of the emirate.

Mr Al Shamsi, the general director of Consultative Commission of the GCC Supreme Council, has tried to mark the milestones of RAK, whether they are related to culture, art, education, health or sport, as well as looking at prominent Emirati figures.

The museum was inaugurated by Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of RAK, and starts with photos of teachers in the emirate’s early years before going on to show pictures related to its political development, such as Rulers and public demonstrations when Britain held sway over the Trucial States and the funeral march when Gamal Abdel Nasser, the second president of Egypt, died in 1970.

“The goal of building the museum is that RAK has deep-rooted history, and is the proof it was colonised by Persian, Portuguese and British,” Mr Al Shamsi said. “There are oil paintings by British colonisers in 1809 during their expeditions, and I took copies from the originals.”

Mr Al Shamsi hoped to develop Emiratis’ affiliation and loyalty to their homeland through the museum and to attract tourists.

“The person who does not know the history of their ancestors has no affiliation to their homeland, and many people think that petrol has made and developed the emirate, but no, the history of RAK and the work of its citizens have made and developed it,” he said.

“In addition, I want to target tourists who don’t want to look at malls, modern towers and skyscrapers because these are available everywhere. They look for particularity, which lies in the emirate’s history, and I want them to know that RAK is not a petrol well – it’s a well of civilisation and history.”

Mr Al Shamsi has not forgotten the role of women in developing RAK, and has presented photographs of the first Emirati nurse, singer, police officer, ambassadors and director of the educational zone.

There are also images of the first media institution, which was founded in 1960s, its journalists and the newspapers that were published at that time, as well as the first bank, pharmacy, hospital and post office that were opened in the emirate in 20th century.

“In my opinion, pictures are more truthful with news than books and can summarise many things and entrench quickly in people’s minds things that force them to look for its references in an era of unwillingness to read,” he said.

Mr Al Shamsi obtained the information about prominent figures from elders in the emirate and even bought some of their photographs of milestones they lived through. He also acquired photographs from Arab teachers working in the emirate in the past, from newspaper archives, and has used some of his own collection. He also copied some photographs from originals to be included in the collection. A lack of financial support and a limited budget prevented him from expanding the museum further but it is something he would like to do.

“This project made me financially tired and took too much time and effort as my basic job is outside the UAE but because I want to do something for my country, I challenged all conditions, and I don’t look forward getting money from it,” Mr Al Shamsi said.

The museum is behind Al Futtaim Motors in Al Dhaid, south of RAK city. It is open on weekdays and entrance is free. For more information, call Ahmad Ali on 050 977 9699.

roueiti@thenational.ae