Nuʿaymi Family, al-
NUʿAYMI FAMILY, AL-
the ruling family of the emirate of ajman in the united arab emirates (uae).
The rulers of Ajman are members of the Nuʿaym tribe, one of the largest in southeastern Arabia, with members spread from Oman to Bahrain. The first ruler of Ajman was Rashid ibn Humayd al-Nuʿaymi (r. 1816–1838), one of the Persian Gulf rulers who signed a peace treaty with the British in 1820. A small emirate with few economic resources, Ajman has been a recipient of financial aid from the ruler of Abu Dhabi, but it has not always followed the larger emirate's political lead. Due to his strong personality and his long tenure as amir (r. 1918–1981), Rashid bin Humayd al-Nuʿaymi, the ruler of Ajman at the time of the UAE's federation, hewed an independent line, often siding with the ruler of Dubai. The ninth and current ruler of Ajman is Humayd bin Rashid al-Nuʿaymi, born in 1931. He has ruled since 1981 and has served on the Supreme Council of the UAE since 1981. He is also the sponsor of the Shaykh Humayd bin Rashid prizes for Culture and Science.
see also ajman; united arab emirates.
Bibliography
Anthony, John Duke. Arab States of the Lower Gulf: People, Politics, Petroleum. Washington, DC: Middle East Institute, 1975.
Peck, Malcolm C. Historical Dictionary of the Arab Gulf States. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 1997.
anthony b. toth