RAS AL KHAIMAH // Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Ras al Khaimah, was laid to rest yesterday afternoon in his family’s cemetery in Al Oraibi.
Sheikh Saqr, who had ruled since 1948, was the world’s second-longest serving head of state – after the King of Thailand – and its oldest. He was said officially to have been born in 1920, but Sheikh Saqr came from an era when accurate records were not kept.
He was also the last survivor of the seven rulers who together founded the UAE. The federation was established in December 1971, and RAK joined early the following year.
Sheikh Saqr's death was announced early yesterday morning. He had been ill for some time and had not been seen in public since February last year, when he was chauffeured in his trademark white Rolls-Royce Phantom past a celebration to mark his 61 years of rule.
There will be 40 days of official mourning in RAK, and a week in the rest of the UAE.
Sheikh Khalifa, the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, was joined by the other five rulers yesterday in sending their condolences. “Throughout his life, the late Sheikh Saqr dedicated himself to serve his people and work faithfully with fellow rulers,” Sheikh Khalifa said in a statement released by the state news agency WAM.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, took part in the funeral prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in RAK.
Sheikh Saqr’s 62-year rule will be particularly remembered for his commitment to the cause of education, which he had championed since the early 1950s.
Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr, chairman of the RAK free-trade zone and one of Sheikh Saqr’s seven sons, said yesterday: “We are not just burying my father, but the father of Ras al Khaimah. We have a lot to learn from him, a true legacy. The two things he cared about were education and religion, and that made RAK what it is today.”
Sheikh Saqr is succeeded as Ruler, and on the Supreme Council, by Sheikh Saud bin Saqr, who has been Crown Prince since 2003 and performed many of his father’s duties during the Ruler’s illness.
Sheikh Khalifa described the new Ruler as “the best successor to the best predecessor”.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
FINAL RESULT
Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross
Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
Match info
Liverpool 4
Salah (19'), Mane (45 2', 53'), Sturridge (87')
West Ham United 0
MATCH INFO
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
