Page 29 - Liwa18-E

Libraries in Ajman from the beginning of the Twentieth Century until the Formation of the Union

an attempt on his life in the Holy Mosque. He seized the opportunity to plead with
the king to issue orders to provide him with Islamic Shari’a books. The King was
kind enough to comply with his request. Following his return to his country, Sheikh
Abdullah received from Riyadh several crates of books.

His cleric friends in the Emirates and the Gulf used to send him copies of literary
works as gifts. Sheikh Abdullah was fond of books and an avid reader.

• The Development of Al Sheibah Library after his Death:
After Sheikh Abdullah’s demise, on 26/06/1988, his two illustrious sons, the late
Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Sheibah and Sultan bin Abdullah Al Sheibah, converted
his house into a public library for researchers, scholars and readers at large. They
developed and expanded the library with the addition of more publications, audio-
visual material, computers and internet connection, and organized an annual
competition to preserve the Prophet’s Hadith and to print Hadith books that are
handed out as giveaways.

The majlis (assembly hall) attached to the library was a meeting place for Ajman
notables and visitors from different places throughout the year. It served as a social,
cultural and religious hub until the library was closed in 2012.

4. The Library of the Judge Sheikh Humaid bin Ahmad bin Flao Al
Matroushi

• His Upbringing and Education:
Sheikh Humaid’s full name is the aging Judge Sheikh Humaid bin Ahmad bin
Humaid bin Ahmad bin Flao Al Matroushi. His mother is ‘Afra bint Humaid Al
Baghash Al Shuwaihi. He was born around 1900 to a father who combined the job
of the Imam of Ajman Grand Mosque with teaching the Holy Qur‘an to youngsters
and pearl diving .
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He studied the Qur‘an under Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin’ Aoun Al Morri
famously known as the” Tree master . “He learned writing and calligraphy from the
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teacher Abdul Rahman bin Ahmad Bahlouq Al’ Awadhi , then joined Al Taymiyah
Al Mahmoudiyah School in Sharjah around 1912. He was a brilliant student.
Consequently, he was chosen to be among a group of distinguished students whom
the school founder, Ali Bin Mohammad Al Mahmoud, decided to send to Qatar
to study Islamic Shari’a under Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz Al Mane’ Al
Waheebi. Sheikh Humaid spent the next seven years studying, then went back home
after graduation. He travelled to Al Hasa, where he stayed for a while for further
education.

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