Al Sharqi

Al Sharqi is the ruling family of Fujairah, an emirate on the northeastern coast of the United Arab Emirates. The family name is associated with the Sharqiyin, a tribal confederation that historically dominated the mountainous and coastal region known as Shamaliyah, corresponding broadly to the northern and eastern part of the Trucial States. In this historical context, Al Sharqi is a dynastic and political designation rather than a consumer brand or commercial enterprise. The Sharqiyin were traditionally associated with the Ghafiri tribal grouping and were among the most significant tribal communities in the area during the nineteenth century. Their political history was shaped by the regional influence of Sharjah, on which the territory of Fujairah was originally dependent. Over a prolonged period, the Sharqiyin made repeated efforts to establish greater autonomy and separate rule. Fujairah effectively operated independently from around 1901, although its status was not immediately formalized in relations with the British authorities overseeing the Trucial States. British recognition of Fujairah as a Trucial State followed in 1952. This recognition marked an important constitutional and diplomatic turning point, giving the Al Sharqi leadership a formally acknowledged position among the emirates of the Trucial Coast. Fujairah subsequently became one of the seven constituent emirates of the United Arab Emirates when the federation was established in 1971. The family’s documented line of rulers begins with Hamad bin Abdullah Al Sharqi, who ruled from 1879 to 1936. He was followed by Saif bin Hamad Al Sharqi from 1936 to 1938 and Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi from 1938 to 1975. Since 1975, the emirate has been ruled by Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi. The family’s continuing role is tied to the hereditary political structure of Fujairah and to the emirate’s representation within the federal system of the UAE. Because Al Sharqi refers to a ruling house, its principal sphere is governance, dynastic continuity, and representation of Fujairah rather than the production or sale of goods. The family should therefore be distinguished from businesses or organizations that may use similar Arabic or transliterated names. Its historical significance rests on the formation of Fujairah as a recognized political entity and on the dynasty’s continuing leadership of the emirate.

The Al Sharqi family derives its name from the Sharqiyin, the tribal community historically dominant along the northeastern coast of the Trucial States. This region, known as Shamaliyah, included the territory that developed into Fujairah. The Sharqiyin were traditionally associated with the Ghafiri tribal grouping and were an important political and demographic force in the area during the nineteenth century. Before Fujairah achieved recognized independence, the territory was connected politically to Sharjah. The Sharqiyin leadership made several attempts over the centuries to secure separation and establish an autonomous polity. These efforts gradually produced effective independence from approximately 1901, although the territory’s formal international and treaty status remained unsettled for several decades. The British administration of the Trucial States recognized Fujairah as a Trucial State in 1952. This recognition gave the Al Sharqi rulers a formally acknowledged place among the coastal principalities under the British treaty system. The development of Fujairah as a distinct political entity was therefore the result of both local dynastic authority and wider diplomatic recognition. The recorded succession of Al Sharqi rulers begins with Hamad bin Abdullah Al Sharqi, who governed from 1879 until 1936. Saif bin Hamad Al Sharqi succeeded him and ruled until 1938. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi then led Fujairah from 1938 to 1975. Since 1975, the emirate has been ruled by Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi. Fujairah joined the United Arab Emirates at the federation’s creation in 1971, becoming one of its seven constituent emirates. The Al Sharqi family consequently continued its traditional local authority within a federal constitutional framework. The ruler of Fujairah participates in the governance of the emirate while the emirate also operates within the institutions of the UAE. Al Sharqi is best understood as a ruling family and historical dynasty, not as a conventional commercial brand. Its significance lies in the political history of Fujairah, the emergence of the emirate as a recognized Trucial State, and the continuity of hereditary rule from the nineteenth century to the present.

• 1975

  Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi begins rule

  [1]Al Sharqien.wikipedia.org

  Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi succeeds Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi and remains the ruler of Fujairah.

• 1971

  Fujairah joins the United Arab Emirates

  [1]Al Sharqien.wikipedia.org

  Fujairah becomes one of the seven emirates forming the United Arab Emirates.

• 1952

  British recognition of Fujairah

  [1]Al Sharqien.wikipedia.org

  Fujairah receives recognition as a Trucial State under the British treaty system.

• 1938

  Succession of Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi

  [1]Al Sharqien.wikipedia.org

  Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi becomes ruler of Fujairah.

• 1936

  Succession of Saif bin Hamad Al Sharqi

  [1]Al Sharqien.wikipedia.org

  Saif bin Hamad Al Sharqi succeeds Hamad bin Abdullah Al Sharqi as ruler of Fujairah.

• 1901

  Fujairah achieves effective independence

  [1]Al Sharqien.wikipedia.org

  The Sharqiyin leadership is described as having practically established Fujairah’s independence from around this period.

• 1879

  Hamad bin Abdullah Al Sharqi begins rule

  [1]Al Sharqien.wikipedia.org

  Hamad bin Abdullah Al Sharqi becomes the recorded ruler of Fujairah.

Ruling dynastic house and political institution of Fujairah, rather than a commercial product brand.

1. 1Al Sharqien.wikipedia.org