Ras Al Khaimah, June 14 (WAM) -- Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi,Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attended the launch ofthe authorised biography of H.H. Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, at a glitteringfunction held at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah here last evening.

The 600- page book titled 'Saqr- Fifty Years and More' traces the eventfullife of the longest- serving Ruler in the world, focusing on the 59- yeartenure of Sheikh Saqr.

Launched to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the accession of SheikhSaud as Crown Prince of the Emirate, the book also details the extraordinarychanges and fast-paced economic growth that has taken place in RAK since2003. The book has been published by Media Prima.

"Sheikh Saqr's life has been a saga of not just words, but action. Hisdiscipline and unflinching commitment to his ideals should inspire usall in our endeavours for the development of Ras Al Khaimah and UAE,"Sheikh Saud said at the launch of the book.

He said that Sheikh Saqr had a very practical concept of development whichrested on the premise that dreams about the future held no sense unlessthey are coupled with action. "He firmly believed that there could beno development without the development of the individual. And he was oneof the pioneers who strived to educate young children in Ras Al Khaimahby establishing a number of schools," he added.

In his foreward for the book, Sheikh Saud says about his father "SheikhSaqr has carried Ras Al Khaimah forward through the most dramatic periodof history, from Trucial States backwater to a vibrant and socially developedmember of the United Arab Emirates. Yet he remains a man notable for hishumility, kindness and wisdom".

"When he took charge of the Emirate in 1948, the Arab world was reelingafter the partition of Palestine, Harry Truman was in the White Houseand Europe in the midst of depression following the end of the SecondWorld War. From an historic perspective, the subsequent six decades havebeen eventful and somewhat difficult, particularly for the Middle East.

Yet throughout this time Sheikh Saqr's aim has remained singular. He hasworked tirelessly on behalf of his people", added Sheikh Saud.

He said that the country was lucky to have leaders like H.H. Sheikh Zayedbin Sultan Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and H.H.

Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and other Rulers who made the dreamof UAE nation a reality. "We are now fortunate that President H.H. SheikhKhalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, share thesame spirit and determination for the success and development of the UAE,"he said.

"This story is unique, not only because of Sheikh Saqr's longevity, butfor his achievements. When he became Ruler, in 1948, Ras Al Khaimah teeteredon the brink of collapse. Sheikh Saqr turned the situation around andtransformed the fortunes of a sheikhdom not blessed with great oil orgas deposits," said author Graeme Wilson, whose biographical titles includePresidents of the UAE, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

"As a writer, it is exciting to get one's teeth into such a human storyand, I believe, the product is an exciting read".

"From a more modern perspective, it is interesting to see how Sheikh Saudhas brought Sheikh Saqr's vision into the 21st century, and how the vibrancyof Sheikh Saud's leadership has driven Ras Al Khaimah forward," said MediaPrima Managing Director, Lara Marrouchi.

Khalid Saffarini, Legal Advisor to the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, alsospoke at the function which was attended by Sheikhs, dignitaries and topofficials.

The English version will be launched in Britain in the summer and an Arabicversion is planned towards the end of 2007.