AJMAN // Ali Mattar Al Shamsi’s life has always been linked to the sea. The former fisherman, pearl diver and captain has spent more than 40 years building dhows using simple, hand-held tools.
The Emirati is one of a handful of highly skilled craftsmen keeping alive the traditional boatbuilding techniques once so common across the UAE and around the Arabian Gulf. It is a talent he worked hard to perfect.
“I learnt building boats from boatmakers through sitting and looking at them from morning until evening,” said the 85-year-old. “Then I started building my own boats.”
Building a dhow by hand is a long, painstaking process and whereas in his youth he would take on the challenge on his own, these days Mr Al Shamsi, whose physical fitness belies his years, has hired craftsmen to help with the more demanding jobs.
“Now I have labourers who help me in building and I tell them what and how to do, because if I build a boat by myself it will take about three months.”
It takes about a month to build a 110-foot dhow, big enough to hold 137 passengers, whereas a smaller vessel for 10 to 16 people can be finished in about 20 days.
Mr Al Shamsi has passed on his skills to his four sons to keep his family’s tradition, and heritage, alive.
“One of my sons has a factory for boat manufacture, and my other sons learnt fishing and they are practising it.”
Growing up in Al Hamiryah, Mr Al Shamsi said he was originally taught how to make a living as a pearl diver and a fisherman.
“My father taught me fishing and diving and then put me to the sea as a captain since I was 16-years-old,” he said.
“When I became 20 I went to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to work there in fishing and I worked there for 25 years.”
He would spend almost a year away from home at a time, returning to Ajman for only two months to see his family.
The first boat he built was for Sheikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, the father of the present Ruler of Ajman, with a capacity for 120 people. Named after Sheikh Abdulla, the vessel competed in the annual races in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, finishing first for 16 successive years.
Such was his skill and expertise Mr Al Shamsi was asked to build boats for Sheikh Abdulla’s son, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, the Ruler of Ajman, as well as Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, and Sheikh Khalifa, the President.
“If I get financial support from any sheikh to build a boat I manufacture it and give it the name of his highness, but driving the boat and instructing passengers is my responsibility because I am the captain,” said Mr Al Shamsi.
“I don’t sell any boat that I build because I don’t want anyone to compete with me in racing and get the first place because each boat has its own measurements.”
In his many years of competition, Mr Al Shamsi said he had never lost a race as he always tried to improve in the areas of design and performance.
“I participated in Abu Dhabi boat races for 42 years and Dubai for 30 years because those were the only two emirates that had boat races until now. Friday, November 28, was my first participation in boat races in Sharjah to celebrate the National Day.”
Despite being unable to read or write, Mr Al Shamsi said he could recall from memory each pearl-diving area off the UAE’s coast and across the Arabian Gulf.
“The name of each diving area is engraved in my heart and mind, I can remember the areas’ names and the location of each one.”
A lifetime connected to the sea has taught him valuable lessons, most notably in patience, courage and faith.
“I got from life the good reputation, fame and faith, in addition to the patience and courage that I learnt from my life in and with the sea,” he said.
roueiti@thenational.ae
England-South Africa Test series
1st Test England win by 211 runs at Lord's, London
2nd Test South Africa win by 340 runs at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
3rd Test July 27-31 at The Oval, London
4th Test August 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
How it works
A $10 hand-powered LED light and battery bank
Device is operated by hand cranking it at any time during the day or night
The charge is stored inside a battery
The ratio is that for every minute you crank, it provides 10 minutes light on the brightest mode
A full hand wound charge is of 16.5minutes
This gives 1.1 hours of light on high mode or 2.5 hours of light on low mode
When more light is needed, it can be recharged by winding again
The larger version costs between $18-20 and generates more than 15 hours of light with a 45-minute charge
No limit on how many times you can charge
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
The studios taking part (so far)
- Punch
- Vogue Fitness
- Sweat
- Bodytree Studio
- The Hot House
- The Room
- Inspire Sports (Ladies Only)
- Cryo
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
The years Ramadan fell in May
The%20specs
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
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Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Kandahar%20
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Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
(Because Music)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
