My grandfather, Khalifa bin Muhammad Al Fuqaei, spent a lifetime navigating the open seas as a captain before finally stepping away from the waves. His legacy, carried by the ever-changing tides, lives on in the vast sea of memories he left behind. Each crest and trough seem to echo the struggles and triumphs of his remarkable journey.
In 1959, he purchased a sailing ship and named it Raslan. One of the most compelling chapters of his story was his voyage from Dubai to Al Ain—an arduous three-day journey by camel—where he sought an audience with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, then the ruler of Al Ain. My grandfather sought the Sheikh’s assistance as a mediator in negotiations with the Al Hamad family. With persistence and diplomacy, he successfully secured Raslan, setting the course for a thriving trading venture.
For over 25 years, my grandfather’s ship sailed the trade routes between India and Africa, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer in maritime commerce. When our family established a company, we chose to honor his legacy by naming it after him—a tribute to his extraordinary journey, his achievements, and the indelible mark he left on our family’s history.