Memory's Discourse - Part One

English

The book addresses a crucial period in the history of the United Arab Emirates: the early years of the establishment of the "Union" state, which coincided with His Highness's assumption of power in Sharjah after the death of his late brother Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. It details the hopes, aspirations, and achievements of that era, the roles His Highness played, and his relationship with the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. It begins on January 24, 1972, when His Highness assumed power, fifty-four days after the establishment of the United Arab Emirates, and concludes on March 19, 1979, the day of the great march that proceeded to Abu Dhabi during the Supreme Council of the Union meeting, demanding that the rulers solidify and strengthen the unity. The book contains seventy-two commemorative photographs divided into three groups, serving as a visual record of the narrated events. The text of the book is a narrative combining autobiography and historical events of that period. His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah supports his testimony with various types of documents, including resolutions from Supreme Council meetings, correspondence between rulers, decisions by the Ruler of Sharjah, government decisions, reports from Western ambassadors, newspaper articles, and other historical evidence. The book focuses on three main axes in the life of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah: first, his administration of the affairs of the Emirate of Sharjah; second, his relationship with the late Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and his initiatives to strengthen the "Union State"; and third, his belief in the Arab and Islamic nations and his efforts to serve them. The book consists of ten chapters with the following titles: The United Arab Emirates, Between America and Egypt, Oil Export from Sharjah, Arab and European Visits, Historical Decisions, Between Muslims of Somalia and Muslims of America, Days of Loneliness, From the Days of the Ruler of Sharjah, The Supreme Budget Committee, Zayed in Tehran.