Princess Amira is the wife of Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. She is vice-chairman of the board of trustees of the Al-Waleed bin Talal Foundation, an international non-profit organization supporting programs and projects to combat poverty, disaster relief, women's rights and interfaith dialogue. The princess is also on the board of trustees of Silatech, an international organization for youth employment.
Princess Amira is a graduate of the University of New Haven (USA) with a degree in business administration.
She defends women's rights, incl. and the right to drive, obtain education, and obtain employment without having to seek permission from a male relative. Amira herself has an international driver's license and drives herself on all trips abroad.
Known for her impeccable dress sense, Amira is the first Saudi princess to refuse to wear the traditional abaya in public like other women in the kingdom.
2. Rania Al-Abdullah (Queen of Jordan)
Rania showed herself to be very ambitious when she was rejected for a senior position at Apple Jordan (she was 22 years old at the time), slammed the door and headed to Citibank Amman, owned by King Abdullah's sister and brother-in-law. It was in the bank office in the spring of 1993 that the girl and the prince exchanged glances for the first time. It didn't take them long to fall madly in love with each other, and the couple celebrated their wedding on June 10, 1993.
The girl received her education in foreign educational institutions: she studied at the New English School in Kuwait, then received a degree in business administration at the American University in Cairo in Egypt. She never wore a headscarf. And he is unlikely to wear it in the future.
By the way, she was born in 1970.
www.queenrania.jo is her website, where she independently responds to visitors every day.
Her Royal Highness Haya bint Al Hussein, Princess of Jordan and Sheikha of the Emirate of Dubai. Younger wife of the Emir of Dubai, loving mother of a 4-year-old daughter, President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), patroness of the World Sports Academy, UN Ambassador of Peace, charming woman, President of the Dubai Health Service.
Princess Haya bint Al Hussein was born on May 3, 1974, to King Hussein I of Jordan. Her mother, Queen Alia, tragically died in a helicopter crash in February 1977, leaving three young children orphaned.
Haya received an excellent European education: she studied in England, where she attended Badminton School for Girls in Bristol, Bryanston School in Dorset, and then St Hilda's College at the University of Oxford, from which she graduated with an honors degree in philosophy, politics and economics.
On April 10, 2004, Princess Haya married Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, whose fortune is estimated at $20 billion.
4. Princess Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned (Qatar)
Sheikha Moza Nasser breaks all stereotypes about eastern wives, she is the second of the three wives of the Sheikh Emir of the State of Qatar and the daughter of the famous Nasser Abdullah All-Misned.
In 1986, Sheikha entered the National University of Qatar and after some time successfully graduated with a degree in Sociology.
Sheikha holds some international and Qatari posts:
- Chairman of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development;
- President of the Supreme Council of Family Issues;
- Vice President of the Supreme Council for Education;
- UNESCO Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education.
Besides!!! She has seven children: five sons and two daughters.
And again besides that!!! She topped Vanity Fair's "best dressed women" list for the second time.
5. Princess Akishino Mako (Japan)
On October 23, Her Imperial Highness Princess Akishino Mako, eldest granddaughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, celebrated her 20th birthday. According to Japanese law, the princess becomes an adult.
Princess Mako is currently a 3rd grade student at Gakushuin Girls' Senior High School in Tokyo.
Princess Mako has been something of an internet idol since 2004, when she was shown on television wearing a Japanese school uniform as a sailor suit. An image bank was established and a video featuring Princess Mako fanart (with music by IOSYS) was uploaded to the popular video archive website Nico_Nico_Douga, attracting over 340,000 views and 86,000 comments. The Imperial Household Affairs Office, responding to a request for comment, said it was not sure how to handle the matter as it saw no evidence of slander or insults against the Imperial Family.
6. Crown Princess of Brunei - Sarah
Sarah Saleh is a commoner. Before meeting the heir, the girl studied mathematics, biology and dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. The smart and charming wife of Crown Prince Al-Muhtadi Bill and mother of Prince Abdul Muntaqim. The Crown Princess is an excellent role model for Brunei youth and is the most popular member of the Sultan of Brunei's family.
By the way, at the wedding she had a bouquet made of gold and diamonds:
7. Lalla Salma (Morocco). Princess engineer :)
She attended a private school in Rabat and then graduated from the Hassan II Lyceum with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. For two years the girl attended preparatory courses at the Lyceum. Moulay Yossefa, and in 2000 she graduated from the Higher School of Informatics and Systems Analysis, after which she interned at the largest private corporation in Morocco - Omnium North Africa (in which the royal family has a 20 percent stake). Six months later, Lalla received the position of information systems engineer.
Morocco's King Mohammed VI became the first monarch in his country's history to break with long-standing tradition and publicly announce his desire to marry twenty-four-year-old Lalla Salma Bennani, a computer engineer. For centuries, Moroccan kings, including the father of the groom, King Hassan II, hid the fact of their marriage and
often even the name of his chosen one. This information was considered a state secret, and queens never played a significant role in governing the country.
From the very beginning, Lalla Salma established certain rules and, making sure that the king was ready to accept them, agreed to his advances. One of the main conditions was monogamous marriage.
Bennani, like Queen Rania of Jordan and Prince William's fiancée Kate Middleton, has quickly become a trendsetter in her country. As soon as the engagement was announced, Moroccan women began to dye their hair red.
In a survey of readers of Hola! Princess Lalla Salma took first place as "the most elegant guest at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge" thanks to her national dress - the kaftan.
8. Princess Sirivannavari (Thailand)
Sirivannavari, the granddaughter of the current ninth king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, appears more often than any other member of the royal family at social events and meetings at the highest level, thereby performing representative functions for all of her many relatives.
The main passion of the 24-year-old Thai princess is fashion design. Collections under the Princess Sirivannavari brand are now successfully traded not only in Bangkok, but also in Paris, Milan and New York.
The modest personal fortune of the heir to the throne of Thailand is almost $35 billion.
9. Princess Ashi Jetsun Pema (since October 13, 2011 Queen of Bhutan)
The new queen is the daughter of a civil aviation pilot. Her mother is a distant relative of the Bhutanese royal family. The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, married a girl from a simple family, 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema.
She was educated in India and is now studying at a university in the UK. Obviously, the girl will be a diplomat, since she is getting a profession in international relations.
The most eligible bachelor in the Arab world!
Even today, in the age of space travel and universal equality, many girls still dream of a fairy-tale prince on a white horse. One can understand the dreamers, because the object of their nightly dreams is quite real. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, heir to the throne of Dubai, meets all conceivable and inconceivable requirements for an ideal groom.
A romantic and kind soul, Hamdan is handsome, smart and monstrously rich. And the 35-year-old prince is still not married and has been at the top of the list of the most eligible bachelors in the Arab world for many years now!
The man's father, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is actually rules Dubai since 1995. It was thanks to his decisions that this city became a tourist Mecca and the pearl of the Middle East.
Hamdan loves and honors his parent. In all interviews, Al Maktoum Jr. states: “I still continue to learn from my father”.
The sheikh himself cannot be called a representative of the golden youth. The man has nine sisters and six brothers, including the eldest, but heir to the throne It was Hamdan who became Dubai.
Since 2008, the Arab prince has taken an active part in governing the emirate, without missing a single important meeting.
Al Maktoum Jr. has his hands full: in addition to sitting on the Dubai Executive Council and managing a local investment fund, Hamdan also heads the Sports Committee and coordinates the activities of an autism research center. Of course, this is not a complete list of organizations and events in which the prince takes part.
Hamdan copes with all his responsibilities with a bang, because he received the best education in the world. At home, the aristocrat graduated from the Dubai Government School and then went to the UK.
There he studied at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where the English Prince Harry once sat at his desk. And finally, the heir to the throne of Dubai took specialized courses at the London School of Economics.
Hard work for the good of his homeland rarely leaves the prince the opportunity to find time for a hobby. And Hamdan has a lot of them! The handsome Arab loves to travel, loves to play football and takes great photos.
But most of all the man likes horse riding. The heir to the throne of Dubai is a professional rider who has repeatedly won prizes in international competitions.
However, horses are not the only ones among the prince’s favorite animals. Like most Arab sheikhs, Hamdan adores big cats, especially tigers and lions. Moreover, the man breeds camels. Al Maktoum Jr. spent $3 million on one of the most valuable specimens!
“The passion for horse riding is in my blood”, - admits the heir to the throne. Hamdan often takes part in team competitions together with his many relatives. For example, at the 2006 Summer Asian Games, the UAE team, of which the sheikh was part, chose gold!
In European countries, where Al Maktoum Jr. often travels on government affairs, the man usually rides a bicycle. In general, Hamdan tries to spend as much time as possible move.
The prince does not allow himself to relax, taking everything from life. Falconry, photo safaris, parachuting, scuba diving: it seems that the Arabian aristocrat has tried every single type of extreme entertainment!
With all this, Hamdan cannot be called an arrogant proud person or a self-centered hedonist. The prince donates a lot to charity, communicates with disabled and sick people and is ready to help anyone who needs his advice. Al Maktoum Jr. always emphasized that the ruler must be close to his people.
Numerous fans of Hamdan are especially pleased with the evidence of subtle, romantic nature prince. In rare free moments, the man writes poems about his homeland, love and horses, which he later posts on the Internet under a pseudonym. Al Maktoum Jr. does not consider himself a great poet, but his fans are still delighted with his work!
Alas, nothing will happen to the admirers of the heir to the Dubai throne. Hamdan’s personal life is a closely guarded secret, but the prince once mentioned that engaged since birth with the heiress of another Arab ruling house.
Arranged marriages are common among aristocrats. But if European nobles often go against fate, choosing commoners as life partners, then in the East everything is much stricter.
We have previously written about the most desirable brides and grooms in the world. No wonder Hamdan is number one on this list!
33-year-old Sheikh Hamdan is the son of the famous Arab Sheikh Mohamed Al Maktoum, who is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE. The eminent heir was born in November 1982 and, what is most interesting, he is not the only one. His family includes six brothers and nine sisters.
Sheikh Hamdan received an excellent education in England, where he spent his youth. He graduated with honors from the Military School and the College of Economics in London. Already in the UAE, Hamdan entered the school of administrative management, which helped him in his further government activities.
Sheikh Hamdan took the throne in 2008 after his older brother abdicated. This news was not new to the parents, as they expected such an outcome of events. The Prince of Dubai has lived up to the expectations placed on him and has ruled the principality for 10 years. It is noted that he actively participates in the political life of the country, not missing a single meeting.
The usual appearance of eminent heirs does not apply to the prince of the UAE. Naturally, he lives in comfortable apartments, he has a car and a yacht, but at the same time, Prince Hamdan is one of the most responsible rulers. The Prince successfully runs the Young Entrepreneurs Institute and holds a leadership position in the Emirate Sports Council.
In addition, the Prince of the UAE finances several programs that are aimed at raising funds to help children and animals. He is the head of one of the charitable foundations that deals with autistic children.
Mutilation of Prince Hamdan
However, in his life there is not only politics. The prince also finds time for entertainment. Despite his position in society, the sheikh has a lot of hobbies. The heir's favorite pastimes are diving, water skiing and parachute jumping. Once he had the opportunity to test a modern aircraft that was capable of rising into the air, spewing huge jets of water.
As is clear from the above, the prince is attracted to extreme sports. His achievements also include photo hunting on the African continent. The heir is the winner of the Olympic Games in equestrian sports.
Personal life of Prince Hamdan
The young man is currently an eligible bachelor. And if you consider that he is handsome and smart, and not without a sense of humor and modesty, then a whole line of beautiful ladies will line up in an attempt to win his heart.
The media have repeatedly said that the prince’s heart is not occupied by anyone and he is in search of the one and only. However, more than once information was found that the prince’s engagement took place in infancy and the chosen one had long been found. It recently became known that Sheikha Hamdan’s wife should be Sheikha bint Said Thani al-Maktoum. The tabloid press has repeatedly published photographs of the prince with a stranger whose face is hidden by fabric.
DYNASTY OF SHEIKHS OF THE UAE
All emirates are absolute monarchies. The only exception is Abu Dhabi, whose system is close to a constitutional monarchy. The country, which is a federal union of monarchies, has been a member of the UN and the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Non-Aligned Movement, etc. since 1971.
As follows from the very name of this amazing state, its structure is very original. The UAE is divided into seven emirates, each ruled by its own dynasty of monarchs. One of them receives the post of President of the United Arab Emirates during the next elections. And although theoretically any of the seven sheikhs could take the place of the political leader, and therefore it is never possible to accurately predict who will become the next head of state, most often the ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi becomes the president of the UAE.
Until recently, the ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi was the President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who belonged to the Abu Falah dynasty. Representatives of this family have ruled Abu Dhabi since the founding of the emirate, that is, since 1761.
Sheikh Zayed, the 14th ruler of the Nahyan family, was born in Jahili (Treaty Oman) in 1916 or 1918. This data comes from various sources; The exact date of birth of the head of Abu Dhabi is not known at all, since at that time the Bedouins simply did not record the time of birth of their children. The ruler of the emirate is the youngest of the four sons of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, who was the head of the emirate in 1922-1926 (the father of the future president of the UAE was killed by his own brother Saqr). After the death of Zayed bin Sultan, his sons had to hide with relatives for two years, wandering from oasis to oasis. The brothers were able to “come out of hiding” only after Sakr himself repeated the fate of Zayed bin Sultan, dying a violent death. Then Zaid’s elder brother, Sheikh Shahbut (ruled until 1966), came to power.
Sheikh Zayed began to be involved in government affairs back in 1946, when he received the post of governor of the Al-Ayin district. And 20 years later, on August 6, he replaced his brother as ruler of the emirate. On December 2, 1971, this representative of the Abu Falah dynasty was elected president of the federal state; Since then, Sheikh Zayed has been re-elected to this post every five years. The permanent head of the Emirates was very popular among the population. In the capital alone there were about a thousand of his portraits! The largest image of the president measured just under 500 square meters. On November 3, 2004, Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan passed away.
The ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi had four wives. True, according to Western sources, Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan was married nine times, but in accordance with the requirements of Islam he never had more than four spouses at the same time. The most prominent role in the life of the United Arab Emirates is played by one of them - Fatima bint Mubarak, president of the UAE Women's Society. Sheikh Zayed raised 19 (!) sons who currently occupy high government positions or run their own businesses. It is interesting that the President of the Emirates, who himself was left without an education, forced members of his large family to graduate from the best universities in the world.
In 1833, territories that were owned by two representatives of the Abu Falah dynasty were separated from Abu Dhabi. It was then that the emirate of Dubai came into existence; the resulting new dynasty, which headed this state, began to bear the name al-Maktoum. Today, the head of the ruling family of Dubai is His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He is also the vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates. The duties of the UAE Minister of Defense are performed by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. By the way, traditionally the head of the UAE government is the monarch of Dubai.
As for the emirate of Sharjah, the ruling al-Hashimi dynasty traces its family straight back to... the Prophet Muhammad! Currently, the head of this family is His Highness Sheikh Sultan III bin Muhammad al-Hashimi.
The heads of the Ajman emirate are representatives of the Abu Hurayban and al-Nuaimi dynasties; Today the country is led by His Highness Sheikh Huamid bin Rashid al-Nuaimi.
Ras al-Khaimah is ruled by representatives of the same family as the rulers of the emirate of Sharjah, namely the al-Hashimi dynasty. This is not surprising, especially considering that in the past this emirate was repeatedly part of Sharjah. The current representative of the ruling dynasty of Ras Al Khaimah is His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Hasimi.
Umm al-Quwain is ruled by the al-Ali dynasty (also called al-Mualla). The head of the ruling house today is His Highness Sheikh Rashid III bin Ahmed al-Mualla.
And finally, the emirate of Fujairah. Actually, its territory until 1952 was part of the Emirate of Sharjah and only then gained independence and its own ruling family - al-Sharqi. Today, Fujairah is led by His Highness Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi.
But the tradition of electing the ruler of Abu Dhabi to the post of president was not interrupted. On the day of the death of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, the Council of the United Arab Emirates proclaimed the most likely candidate for this position: the eldest son and heir of the deceased as the new president of the federation of monarchies. The new President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, 56-year-old Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, before his election to the post of head of state, served as Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country. In addition, Sheikh Khalifa led the affairs of defense and finance in Abu Dhabi and served as chairman of the Board of Investment, the Arab Economic Development Fund and the Supreme Petroleum Council in the emirate.
In ancient times, the emirates that were part of the UAE were part of Oman, but at the same time they all enjoyed significant independence. Both during the reign of the Achaemenids (VI century BC), and during the existence of the Sassanid state (III-VI centuries AD), and later, when the Arab Caliphate was formed, these territories were under the control of the local nobility. In the middle of the 8th - middle of the 9th centuries AD. e. The emirates of Sharjah and Dubai managed to achieve a certain independence, but the Abbasids quickly returned everything to normal, again taking the lands of both emirates under their own hands. At a later time, the interests of Iran, Turkey, Portugal, other states, and Wahhabis collided on the territory of Sharjah and Dubai.
In particular, the Persian and Oman Gulfs came under the dominance of Portugal in the years 1500–1650. Actually, the path for this country to “happy Arabia” was paved by none other than the famous Vasco da Gama. But later the Portuguese were forced out of the territory of the modern emirates: in the years 1600–1773, the region had to go through the era of trade and colonial expansion of the British East India Company.
By that time, relatively independent sheikhdoms had already emerged on the coast of the Persian Gulf, and Oman had become a large and influential state. Then, in the middle of the 18th century, Yemeni tribes appeared on the territory of the modern emirate of Abu Dhabi, who were members of the Bani Yas confederation. The “aliens” settled in the oases of Silva and Liwa, and then occupied the coastal zone. The tribes were headed by a sheikh from the Nahyan clan - the direct ancestor of the current head of the emirate. The headquarters of this ruler was the island of Abu Dhabi, on which a town with the same name was built in 1761. Since then, the Nahyan dynasty has not been interrupted for more than two and a half centuries; its representatives succeed each other on the throne of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Since the end of the 18th century, the political life of the emirates has become very tense and eventful, although the range of problems was not pleasing with its diversity. The fact is that the local population began to conflict with the English East India Company; Each side competed for a leading role in the transportation of goods in the Persian Gulf. Particularly strong resistance to the British attempts to establish control over maritime trade was shown by the Arab tribes who settled the northern coast of the Persian Gulf. Since at that time there were almost regular attacks on the company’s ships, the entire region of the emirates, with the light hand of the British who were dissatisfied with this situation, received the unflattering name - the Pirate Coast. It became the official name of the entire area and appeared in this form on English maps.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Wahhabis managed to capture the territory of the emirates for a short time; the new owners of the coast declared a holy war against the British. In 1804–1808, subjects of the British crown and their Muscat allies constantly fought against the tribes inhabiting the Pirate Coast. In 1809, the British managed to emerge victorious in a clash with the Wahhabi fleet and bombard the city of Ras al-Khaimah from the sea. But five years later, the Wahhabis regained their advantage in this region, after which for another two years they completely blocked all approaches to the Persian Gulf.
Finally, in 1820, the East India Company managed to find a common language with the sheikhs of the local tribes. This happened after England, taking advantage of the fact that Wahhabi forces were concentrated against the Egyptian army leading a land offensive, destroyed the enemy fleet in 1819 and still burned Ras al-Khaimah. A year later, the parties came to an agreement and signed the “General Peace Treaty,” according to which the British were able to control this problematic territory. New agreements in 1835, 1838–1839, and 1847 only strengthened the position of the British in the Persian Gulf. At the same time, it was decided to divide ancient Oman into the Imamate of Oman, the Sultanate of Muscat and the Pirate Coast, which in 1853, after the signing of the “Treaty on Permanent Maritime Wars” by the sheikhs of Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ajman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi world", was named Oman Treaty.
During World War II, sheikhdoms did not take part in hostilities. However, they provided significant military benefits to Great Britain, for which the latter, after the end of the war, increased the status of these territories, making them emirates (principalities). True, one of the emirates, Kalba, which became part of Sharjah, was abolished at the same time. At the same time, in fact, the process of integrating the emirates into the federation began. At meetings in 1945 and 1950–1951, the heads of the emirates discussed the issues of unifying the police forces, the currency system and the customs department. Local armed forces were created in 1951 to protect oil company personnel. A year later, the Council of the Trucial States, headed by a British political agent, and the Trucial States Development Fund began to function in Dubai. The creation of these two institutions laid the foundation for the future federation of monarchies.
However, the internal political situation in the region could not be called problem-free. Border conflicts flared up between the emirates every now and then. Abu Dhabi and Dubai were especially distinguished in this sense, between which serious clashes occurred in 1947–1949. External border conflicts did not stop, often caused by the economic interests of Western monopolies. Thus, the stumbling block became the Al-Buraimi oasis, to which the heads of Abu Dhabi, Oman and Saudi Arabia had laid claim to their rights since the 19th century. The question was that the lands of the ill-fated oasis turned out to be oil-bearing. As a result, until 1955, control of Al-Buraimi belonged to Saudi Arabia and only then, after the failure of negotiations, the armed forces of Abu Dhabi and Oman, supported by the British, took possession of the oasis.
At the end of the 50s of the last century, large oil reserves were discovered in Abu Dhabi. In 1962, the extraction of “black gold” was organized in the emirate and the export of raw materials to Europe and America was established. As a result, in a few years, a very modest emirate turned into a great oil-producing state in the Middle East. In 1966, oil fields were discovered in Dubai, and in 1973 - in Sharjah and other emirates.
The discovery of oil only aggravated the already unfavorable political situation in the country. An anti-imperialist movement developed in the emirates; in 1962, the Emir of Sharjah gave a concession for the extraction of “black gold” to an American company, which, naturally, did not make the British happy. The Sheikh of Ras al-Khaimah followed the example of his colleague. In October 1964, both monarchs, bypassing the British authorities, agreed to accept the Arab League commission. The British could not ignore such a move and ordered the arrest of the ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Saqr ibn Sultan al-Qasimi (1925–1993). The emir was declared deposed, and an attempt was made on the life of the monarch of Ras al-Khaimah. But the British themselves were forced to think about how to prevent further interference by the League of Arab States in the affairs of the emirates.
In 1965, at the initiative of London, the first meeting of the seven emirates that were part of the Treaty of Oman was held in Dubai. The participants reviewed 15 major economic projects aimed at developing the territories. In 1968, Great Britain officially announced that in the near future it intends to withdraw from the zones east of the Suez Canal, transferring power in the emirates to local rulers. Already in the same year, the heads of nine British mandated territories (the seven emirates of Trucial Oman, Qatar and Bahrain) gathered for a meeting in Abu Dhabi. Participants discussed the possibility of creating a federation of monarchies after the British actually left the region. But Qatar and Bahrain subsequently decided to declare independence and refuse to join the union.
The emirates finally got rid of British rule on December 1, 1971, when Great Britain announced the renunciation of its rights to the territories located on the Persian Gulf coast. After the British protectorate over Trucial Oman became a thing of the past, these lands finally gained complete independence. And the very next day, December 2, the six resulting states united and formed the UAE. The seventh emirate, Ras al-Khaimah, became part of the new entity a year later - on February 16, 1972.
A central role in the process of unification of the emirates was played by the head of the largest and richest of the seven members of the UAE - Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, who came to power on August 6, 1966 through a bloodless coup. He took the place of the previously ruling emir, Sheikh Shakhbut, his elder brother, who was removed as a result of the decision of the sheikhs of the Nahyan clan. Shakhbut, who managed to boost the state's economy, turned out to be an extremely intractable person and an implacably proud man in matters of foreign policy. He managed to ruin relations with the government of Dubai, which is why a real internecine war broke out between the emirates; quarreled with the British, violating the oil development agreement; handed over part of the fishing territories to the Americans. In addition, the sheikh cared little about the impoverished existence that his subjects continued to eke out: he did not know how to properly use the oil wealth and feared that improving the living conditions of the people would undermine the foundations of the monarchy. In addition, this representative of the Abu Fala clan, constantly at war with his neighbor, kept most of his funds not in the bank, but in the palace on hand - in case of buying weapons and hiring soldiers. But one day it was discovered that rats had profited from the banknotes. Whether this is true is unknown. But the family council actually removed the sheikh from his high post and solemnly sent him into retirement, leaving Zayed al-Nahyan to correct the mistakes of his predecessor.
Having come to power, Sheikh Zayed made a policy statement: “If Allah has blessed us with his gifts, then the first thing we should do to please and be grateful to him is to direct the wealth to transform the country and do good to the people. We will build a society with housing, food, health care and education.” And the president kept this promise, turning the impoverished, provincial outskirts of the British Empire into a modern prosperous state, the standard of living of the population of which is one of the highest in the world. Moreover, al-Nahyan did this in record time.
The rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai initiated the unification of the emirates and the creation of an independent federation of monarchies. On February 18, 1968, Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan and Rashid bin Said al-Maktoum signed an agreement to this effect. Seven days later, the heads of the mandated territories discussed the possibility of creating a federal state, and on March 1, 1968, the creation of the Federation of the Arab Emirates was announced. But the monarchs were never able to come to an agreement on defining the role of their emirates in the new state. As a result, two groups emerged. One of the groups included the rulers of the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ajman and Bahrain. They were opposed by the rulers of Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah and Qatar. At the same time, the rulers of Qatar and Bahrain, having a more developed economy and surpassing the other emirates in population, refused to recognize the equality of all members of the federation. So by the end of 1969 the FAE disbanded. And two years later, Qatar and Bahrain declared themselves independent powers.
The heads of the emirates once again gathered for a meeting on July 18, 1971; then six of them voted to create a new federation. Ras al-Khaimah initially refused to join the UAE because it did not receive the desired veto power on national decisions. In addition, this emirate was in conflict with Iran over the oil-rich islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb. The remaining sheikhs did not want to commit themselves to Ras al-Khaimah, foreseeing that the confrontation with Iran could escalate into a military clash.
Having assessed the activities of Zayed al-Nahyan, the heads of the monarchies who made up the Supreme Council of the UAE elected the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi as the first president of the country. In 2001, this man was re-elected to a seventh (!) 5-year presidential term. This “political elder of the planet,” as the press called the UAE president, was second only to Fidel Castro in terms of political longevity, but in terms of age he was truly a patriarch among the world’s heads of state. Zayed al-Nahyan really did a lot for his country, managing to boost its economy, developing international tourism and other areas of the economy, and investing huge amounts of money in construction. By order of the head of state, the capital and many other cities were beautified: fertile soil was brought in, palm trees and flowers were planted (by the way, every bush and tree is irrigated using special desalination plants!). In addition, the president knew how to find compromises when resolving issues that were important for each of the emirates that were part of the federation.
Unfortunately, over the years, the health of the UAE leader began to deteriorate. Back in 1996, he underwent a complex neurosurgical operation on his spine (the president’s problems began at the age of 10, when he fell unsuccessfully from a horse). Four years later, the emir had to go under the surgeon’s knife again - now he needed an urgent kidney transplant. However, the powerful organism of the monarch coped with such a shake-up and allowed Zaid al-Nahyan to again take the post of president of the country. But in 2004, the 86-year-old leader fell ill completely. Before his death, he did not appear in public for several weeks. It seems that the residents of the UAE have still not recovered from the shock they experienced after hearing the news of the death of the “father of the people.” After all, the sheikh, who actually made the Emirates what it is today, was simply idolized during his lifetime. Accepting the legacy of such a person is simple and difficult at the same time. Simply - because he left things in exemplary order. It’s hard because it’s impossible to compete with a person who managed to do so much for the country. But it is not for nothing that the new president of the UAE is the son of the “legend” of the Emirates. And if Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan inherited at least part of his abilities and longevity from his parent, a great future awaits him...
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A jogging athlete, horse owner, poet, heir to the royal family, son of Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum, Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed al-Maktoum is shrouded in an enviable aura of power, fabulous wealth and romance. Chairman of the Dubai City Council, President of the Sports Committee of the Emirate of Dubai, honorary patron of the Dubai Center for Autism Research and the Youth Business Support League, Sheikh Hamdan has long been an eligible bachelor who remains single. Will anyone get this handsome man or does he have a place in his heart for one single passion - horses?
Roots and branches
Sheikh Hamdan is one of the twenty-three (and counting!) children of Sheikh Mohammed, Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and head of the Emirate of Dubai from the Al Maktoum dynasty. Understanding the intricacies of the family tree of Arab rulers is quite simple. The Maktoum family traces its origins to the Bani Yas tribal group that inhabited the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The dynasty itself dates back 180 years, since its founder Sheikh Maktoum bin Butty founded his own emirate in the Dubai Creek area in 1833. Currently, the ruling dynasty is continued by Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum, who in 2006 became the tenth ruler of Dubai. At the moment, the sheikh has nine sons and fourteen daughters. Mohammed is married to Hind bint Maktoum, who is the mother of twelve children, including Sheikh Hamdan. The sheikh's second wife was the famous (primarily in the world of equestrian sports) Jordanian princess Haya bint al-Hussein, who in 2007 gave birth to Mohammed's girl Al-Jalil, and in January 2012 - a son, Zayed. Thus, Sheikh Hamdan is the Crown Prince of the Emirate of Dubai and the stepson of Princess Haya.
In the spirit of tradition
Hamdan al-Maktoum was born on November 13, 1982. Despite the fact that from the very birth the prince was surrounded by incredible luxury, he was brought up in the spirit of traditional values. “My father, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is my mentor in life. I always continue to learn from him, and his experience helps me in solving many strategic issues. My mother, Sheikha Hind, is a true example of a loving and caring mother. She raised me in an atmosphere of absolute love and affection and still supports me even though I have grown up. I will never forget my mother's deep devotion and kindness. “I have great respect for her and believe that any society that does not value mothers is dishonest and worthless,” says the prince. - I enjoyed a peaceful childhood surrounded by my family and was raised in an environment that allowed me to realize my purpose in life and reflect on the greatness of God. The beauty of the desert gave me a sense of harmony and helped me merge with nature - this is how I was able to develop my poetic gift, and with the help of my father I got the chance to make the impossible possible.”
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Hamdan bin Mohammed AL-MAKTOUM at YAMAMAHA
School years are wonderful...
Sheikh Hamdan began his education at the Sheikh Rashid private secondary school in Dubai, created according to the English model. By the way, it was founded in 1986 by Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, so the boy seemed to never leave the family. The young man continued his studies at the Faculty of Public Administration at the Dubai Government School, and then went to the UK. There he became a student and then a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (from which, by the way, Prince Harry, the youngest son of the British Prince Charles and Princess Diana, also graduated). Later, Sheikh Hamdan attended specialized courses at the London School of Economics and finally, armed with knowledge, returned to his native Emirates. “My school days and college days were the most wonderful time of my life and I still remember my peers and friends. A military academy such as Sandhurst teaches not only the basic disciplines, but also virtue, responsibility and commitment to one's country. These are very important values that people need both in everyday life and at the government level when they are entrusted with serious responsibilities.”
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From his father, Sheikh Mohammed, (left), Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed will inherit power over one
one of the richest and most influential regions in the Middle East
The sands of Time
Already from the prince’s statements one can notice that he is a romantic person - Hamdan is also known as a talented poet. He publishes his poetry under the pseudonym Fazza. “Fazza represents my poetic personality and personality. This word in the Emirati dialect means a person who selflessly rushes to the aid of all those who are in trouble. My poetry can fill people's hearts with happiness and help ease their suffering. I was greatly impressed by my father's passion for poetry, and I also had the chance to meet many poets who helped me discover and develop my own style. From an early age, my father listened to my poems and gently advised me in what direction to move forward.” Once at a press conference, the prince was asked why he chose such a pseudonym for himself. Hamdan replied that he once met an old man in the desert whose car was stuck in the sand. He helped pull out the car and was about to leave, without waiting for words of gratitude, but then the old man called out to him and said: “You are Fazza.” The prince liked this nickname so much that it became his middle name and poetic pseudonym. Hamdan's poems are mostly romantic and patriotic and, of course, many are dedicated to his main hobby - horses.
What is my horse to me...
What is my horse to me? My strength and courage
This is my essence, my blood flesh.
More than once or twice I wanted to soar into the sky
Or fall backwards, exploding your anger.
You held me, and the bridle is like rags,
It remained in your hand, as if your heart was in pieces!
I burned and dared, a hunter of the sultry prairies,
The horse flew like an arrow, his temples ached.
What is my horse to me? My prowess and dexterity,
The pride of my ancestors, their victories in battles.
My Arabian horse gave me skill,
Passion to a faithful heart, fearless sparkle in the eyes!
On the wings of the wind
“I come from a family that loves horses,” the prince admits. - There is a strong spiritual connection between me and the world of equestrian sports, which is a huge part of my life. I ride whenever the opportunity arises because it gives me a feeling of absolute freedom.” Like many members of the al-Maktoum family, Hamdan not only excels in the saddle, but is also a professional equestrian. He has his own stable, where he breeds thoroughbred saddle horses and Arabian horses, and takes part in distance racing competitions. The prince performs very, very successfully: he mainly has first and second places in tournaments with the highest distance of 160 km. His main horses are Ainhoa Aksom, Intisar and Yamamah.
The list of Hamdan's victories is endless - for example, he won four tournaments in a row (all in which he took part) at a distance of 120 km in 2014. The prince's main achievements are team gold at the 2006 Summer Asian Games and a gold medal at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy (160 km), which he won in August this year on the purebred Arabian mare Yamamaha (which translates from Arabic as “little dove"). “The route was unusually difficult technically,” says the prince. “In addition, it was aggravated by the weather and high humidity. It was necessary to ensure that the horse was well protected from the weather at all times. It’s not surprising that the number of those who were able to simply finish was small for a championship of this level.” 165 athletes from 47 countries took part in the tournament. At first, the team from the UAE took the lead, but by the end of the third lap, only one representative of this team remained on the route - Sheikh Hamdan. Many of the tournament's competitors were injured along the course, and a Costa Rican rider's horse tragically died on the route after colliding with a tree. So this victory was indeed not easy for the prince and once again confirmed his high level of sports.
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Prince Hamdan AL-MAKTOUM
with his potential bride Kalila Said
Adrenaline Rush
The prince is not afraid of danger - on the contrary, he chases adrenaline in every possible way. He engages in extreme sports - skydiving, flying on a JETLEV-FLYER jetpack (which rises into the air on giant jets of water) and an Xcitor paraglider, racing around the Persian Gulf on water scooters and skis and scuba diving. Hamdan also loves to travel: for example, he has been to Africa, where he met with aborigines and hunted lions with a photo gun, and to Russia, where he participated in falconry. “I swim regularly and just walk a lot at any time of the day,” says the prince. “I also sometimes play football, but things don’t allow me to get too involved in this sport.”
Marry a prince
The love question remains open for now: at just over thirty (he celebrates his 32nd birthday on November 14), the prince is not yet married. The personal life of the sheikh has been the subject of countless speculations for many years - not surprising, since the prince is a “tidbit” for thousands of girls. It was said that from birth he was engaged to a maternal relative, Sheikha al-Maktoum, but at the same time he had very close contact with another distant relative (whose name is unknown) from 2008 to 2013. The relationship ended in January 2013 (the arranged marriage was immediately called off for reasons that were not made public) when the prince met a new love. Hamdan fell in love so much that he very soon announced his engagement. His chosen one was Kalila Said, a 23-year-old refugee from Palestine who grew up in the slums of an Arab metropolis. The young people met while working on a charity project in one of the disadvantaged areas of the capital. The girl cannot be called a gold digger: the prince had to seek her attention for more than three months before she agreed to go on a date, but soon the couple became inseparable. According to rumors circulating in the country, Sheikh Mohammed was not very happy with the choice of the prince and even threatened to disinherit his son, but to no avail. The young man chose love, as a result of which the father reconsidered his position, resigned himself and, it seems, even gave the couple his blessing. However, Hamdan’s fans should not despair: in the UAE, the sheikh has the right to have as many wives as he wants. So, Hamdan’s father, Sheikh Mohammed, is rumored to have about five wives (hence so many children), and the world knows about only two, and Hamdan’s brother, Prince Said Al-Maktoum, also married a girl of low origin, Azerbaijani Natalia Aliyeva. She worked as a waitress in Belarus (where they met), and in the UAE she became Princess Aisha Al-Maktoum.
People's Favorite
In September 2006, Hamdan Al Maktoum was appointed Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, where he was tasked with overseeing the emirate's government facilities. It was thanks to him that the “Dubai Strategic Plan until 2015” was put forward. As President, Sheikh Hamdan led the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Autism Center, and the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Institute for Young Business Leaders. Despite his fame and billion-dollar fortune, the prince remains very modest - he is actively involved in charity work, personally overseeing several funds for helping children and animals. “The fact that I am the son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid does not give me an absolute right to refuse my duties,” says Hamdan. “On the contrary, I feel that my brothers and I have an obligation to be more responsible and should take every job as seriously as possible.” From my point of view, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed is an ideal head of family who always strives to give time to everyone despite the enormous worries. At the same time, he teaches us that we must always remain close to the people.”
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