Ruler:

Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, born May 25, 1948

Biography:

Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi is the current ruler of the Emirate of Al Fujairah. He took over after the death of his farher Mohammed bin Hamad al Sharqu in 1974. The Sharqi family has a warm relationship with the Abu Dhabi rulling Nahyan family, allowing the former access to federal funds and ministerial posts, exceeding allocations of similar small emirates. Educated in Britain, Hamdan is a progressive ruler and his reformist leanings have held him in good stead with businessmen and expatriates alike.

Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi studied English at Eastborne School of English in East Sussex from 1969 to 1970. He attended the Mons Military Academy in 1970 and from 1971 to 1974 served as Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries.