Interview ( Oral History)

     Even in his 80s, Mohamed bin Rashed AlNaqbi remembers everything - people, places and events. His memories return back to his childhood in Ras AlKhaimah. He has born in 1935, in Khat village. He did not join any official education, but he learned to write and read by spending time with a “Katateeb” in the mosque located in the village.

    Thereafter, he joined Alqasemeyah primary school in RAK which is the oldest school in RAK town and then he travelled to Qatar in 1960 to continue studying in secondary school. After his graduation, he came back to the UAE and got a job offer to work as a teacher in Khat school and then after a few years he was promoted to school manager.

      Currently, his experiences and memories are being used in a good way, giving an exceptional record of his life before and after the union in 1971. Mr.Mohamed talked about the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah now and how it had been 60 years ago. He covered most sectors such as political, economic, social, cultural, arts, media, and sports changes and developments in the emirate during these years.

      The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has an amazing archaeological heritage and rich cultural history. This area has  combination of the various different landscapes: mountains, coastal beaches, mangroves and the desert; in the past there were no roads, no transportations and no buildings. The life was so simple. He added, people in the past used to travel from RAK to Dubai using camels and taking almost 3 days for one way and the purpose was business, selling and buying. It was really very difficult.

     One of his memories: he talked about Khat water spring as one of the famous sulphur water springs in the UAE which made it a touristic place long ago. It was 50 years back with only one castle used for the purpose of fighting and defense. Khat spring water was only a water tunnel without any facilities such as roads, hotels or swimming pools. Meantime, people come from different places by camel and stayed for a few days.  People who were living in this village used water in agriculture and farms. Now it has a lot of changes such as two swimming pools for men and ladies separately as well as healthy massage center .Roads reach to touristic places. In addition, a hotel is built on top of a mountain close to the old castle and overlooking the village. Moreover, a lot of villas were built in the same place.

   Finally, he added that the life now has become more comfortable after difficulties which were faced in the past. A lot of changes involved sports, transportations, buildings and roads. “Life is generally getting easier. I was an eyewitness to the overall progress and construction achieved in the record time. When I recall the story of RAK, people might not believe me since the young generation has been born and raised in luxury, and live in air-conditioned comforts, own luxury cars. Yet, my generation would absolutely understand what I am talking about.” Mohamed said.