The late Sheikh Rashid of Dubai, father of the present ruler was a wise and kind man. He was a coastal dwelling ruler unlike his contemporary, the late Sheikh Zayed another kind and neighbouring ruler, the Emir of Abu Dhabi who was more of a Bedouin, a desert roving Arab more at home in a tent on the sands than in a mud palace like Rashid.
Both were hard on the outside. Rashid was a wily businessman who befriended the Indians with whom he dealt and who were necessary to his sustenance before the days of wealth. Zayed on the other hand dealt more with his tribesmen since he was a hunter and warrior and therefore tough in exterior. Both came from harshness and poverty and migrated to wealth carefully and easily, without ostentation. Not so their children. Sheikh Rashid is supposed to have said this when alive. -------------- next part -------------- Roland Toronto.
