Some 125,000 years in the making, the United Arab Emirates truly became united on December 2, 1971.
Yes, Ras Al Khaimah joined the party a time later. But on that most celebrated of days, differences were put aside, six became one and, a year later, a super seven.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the forward-thinking ruler of Abu Dhabi, will always rightly be praised for bringing the emirates together.
As we mark 50 years of the UAE, here’s how we did it and here’s why there will forever be an unbreakable bond between seven superb sheikdoms…
Strong foundations
After taking over the reins of Abu Dhabi on August 6, 1966, it didn’t take long for Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to extol the virtues of a united nation, declaring: ‘In harmony, in some sort of federation, we could follow the example of other developing countries.’
With the British having already declared a desire to leave Arabian Gulf to its own devices, Sheikh Zayed swiftly moved to bring his neighbours to the table.
On February 18, 1968, Sheikh Zayed got together with the then Dubai ruler, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, in Al Samha and agreed upon a Union Accord to which the other emirates would be invited to join.
The two of them resolved to jointly conduct foreign affairs, build common defence, security and social services and adopt a common immigration policy. Also, they concurred that both Abu Dhabi and Dubai should retain responsibility for their own judicial and other internal affairs.
The Federation of the Arab Emirates
The two Sheikhs soon reached out to the other five emirates (as well as Bahrain and Qatar) and set up a convention in Dubai that took place from February 25-27, 1968.
The agreement was that all nine would cement ties between to coordinate plans for their development and prosperity; reinforce the respect of each one of them when it came to the independence and sovereignty of the others; and to unify their foreign policies and representation, and their higher policy in international, political, defence, economic, cultural and other matters.
Bahrain went its own way in August 1971, with Qatar doing likewise a month later.
Next steps for the UAE
The respective rulers of Ajman, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain all got together on July 18, 1971 and decided strength in unified numbers was the best way forward.
The major upshot of this historic meeting was the declaration that: ‘The Supreme Council felicitates the people of the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Arab people, and our friends around the world, and declares the United Arab Emirates as an independent sovereign state being a part of the Arab World.’
Abu Dhabi was agreed upon as the new nation’s provisional capital, with Sheikh Zayed as its President and Sheikh Rashid as his second in command.
The unified government, or Federal National Council, was set in stone with eight members each from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, six from Sharjah and three apiece from Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. The door was left open to Ras Al Khaimah, with a further six spots being reserved to its prospective delegates…
Ras Al Khaimah joins
RAK’s then ruler, Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, had been reticent to join the UAE. He was hugely concerned about the fact Iran had seized the emirate’s islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs. But once reassurances were made that the new Federal Government would continue to claim them, RAK became a fully fledged member of the UAE on February 10, 1972. The deal was done and all seven emirates formerly known as the Trucial States officially became Dawlat Al Imarat Al Arabiyya Al Muttahida – or the United Arab Emirates, in Western parlance.
So what’s in the UAE Constitution?
Above all, to make sure the welfare of all seven emirates is the prime priority.
But we love a bullet point or two, so here we’ll give you the main ideas:
• Maintain the UAE’s independence and sovereignty;
• Protect security and stability for the Federation and member states
• Defend any aggression upon its existence or the existence of its member states
• Protect the rights and freedom of the people of the Federation
• Achieve close cooperation between the emirates for the common benefit of the Federation
• Promote the prosperity and progress of the Federation
• Provide better life for all citizens
• Respect the independence and sovereignty of the other emirates in their internal affairs within the framework of this Constitution.
So there you have it. What once was a disparate and divided group of people joyously became a united nation. Happy 50th anniversary, UAE, we love you more and more each day…
For awesome ways to spend your long weekend in the UAE, click here.
