Sheikh Saqr receives `Message of Allegiance' signed by 120,000 people on his 60th accession anniversary

The message, expressing the love and affection of the people of Ras Al Khaimah to their beloved Ruler, was mounted on a vintage Land Rover in a glass case and taken to the palace in a grand procession.

A six- horse cavalry unit led the parade which was followed by the RAK Police band which played patriotic tunes. Hundreds of vehicles, decorated with UAE flags and photographs of Sheikh Saqr, lined up for the event along with motorcycles and vintage cars. The procession began from near the main bridge leading to Al Nakheel and circled the creek to reach the Khuzam Palace. Enthusiastic crowds lined up along the route waving flags to greet the parade.

H.H. Sheikh Saqr received the message at the Khuzam Palace and thanked the people for their show of love and affection. Sheikh Saqr who took the reins of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in 1948 is the world's second longest- serving ruler, surpassed only by King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

Mohammad A Al Mehrizi, Director General of RAK Customs and Ports Department and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the event, said that the `Message of Allegiance' was created to provide a platform for the general public to express their respect and regard for Sheikh Saqr on his 60th accession anniversary.

"We started the campaign for `Message of Allegiance' on September 1, 2008. The public participation was so huge that within five months, we were able to cross the anticipated 100,000 signature mark. We ended up collecting around 120,000 signatures from citizens and expatriates in Ras Al Khaimah who were very keen to express their love for Sheikh Saqr whose reign during the last 60 years has transformed Ras Al Khaimah from a less developed region to a bustling development hub,"

Mehrizi added.

The public had signed up on the message which was taken around shopping malls, schools, clubs, expatriate associations and other public places during the 5- month long campaign.

An opera titled 'House of Qawasim; House of Peace' was staged at the Cultural Centre in the night as part of the celebration. Directed by Khalid Al Bannai, the opera traced the history of the Al Qawasim, who played a major role in the contemporary history of the region, in a spectacular song and drama sequence. The benevolent rule of Sheikh Saqr and his visionary socio- economic initiatives which changed the fortunes of the emirate were also part of the narrative.

H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Omar bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Ruler's Private Affairs Department, Major General Sheikh Talib bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Director General of RAK Police, Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Finance Department and RAK Free Trade Zone, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Customs and Ports Department, Sheikh Abdul Malik bin Kayed Al Qasimi, Advisor to RAK Ruler, other sheikhs and officials were present to witness the opera.

A short film titled `Falcon of the Arabs through the eyes of people' on the rule of Sheikh Saqr was also screened as part of the function.