- 1908-1981
- Full Name: Ahmed Bin Rashid Bin Ahmed Bin Abdulla Al Mualla
- Duration of his Rule: 52 years
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Mualla, was born in Umm Al Quwain in 1908. He descends from a powerful family with a remarkable history in the region named “Al Mualla” and is also known as Al Ali. His father Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmed Al Mualla was keen on bringing him up according to Islamic values. Therefore, he learned the Holy Quran and Islamic tenets, and was known for his many good qualities such as fairness and wisdom. He assumed power in Umm Al Quwain in 1929 at the age of 18. He had his seat of government in Umm Al Quwain Fort from which he ran the affairs of his Emirate. He looked after his people’s affairs and met their different needs. He was known for his calm, sincerity, integrity and leniency. He acted as a mediator and managed to resolve many tribal conflicts. Thus, his rule was characterized by stability, as he was able to resolve all internal problems in Umm Al Quwain. Moreover, he managed to cultivate good relations with his neighbors, the rulers of neighboring areas and helped them solve their problems.
In 1968 and before the establishment of the Union, he founded the Municipality Department in the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain, and for its management he appointed his son, Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmed the then Crown Prince and his first assistant to run the Emirate’s affairs. The municipality looked after the citizens’ affairs and built public housing and roads and followed up development projects in Umm Al Quwain, especially those in areas surrounding Umm Al Quwain corniche. He ordered the establishment of the breakwater to protect the city from the tides and the deepening of the inlet to the sea creek. He also ordered the building of public parks, the lighting and tree planting of streets. Furthermore, he established the Police Department to maintain security and public order in the Emirate, and he took care of education and healthcare by building schools and hospitals everywhere in the Emirate. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid played a proactive role during the establishment of the federation of the UAE and participated in the negotiation meetings in the run-up to establishment of the union. On December 2, 1971, his son Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmed signed the UAE constitution as the Deputy Ruler and Crown Prince. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashهd died on February 21, 1981. After a rule, which lasted 50 years, he left his mark as a just and wise leader. He was succeeded by his son Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmed, who is doing his fair share in the development of the Emirate.
