'Village's Protector': How Former Ajman Ruler Saved Masfout From Bandit Raids, Set Up A School

2026-02-02 11:24:43

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

The area was recently crowned the 'best tourist village in the world' by the UN World Tourism Organisation for 2025

PUBLISHED: Tue 3 Feb 2026, 6:00 AM UPDATED: Tue 3 Feb 2026, 7:56 AM

By:
Ruqayya Al Qaydi

[Editor's note: This article is part of Villages of the UAE, a Khaleej Times editorial series that looks beyond the country's skylines to the quieter communities nestled in its mountains, deserts, wadis, and along its coast. Through the voices of residents and the rhythms of everyday life, the series explores how tradition, place, and people continue to shape the UAE's social fabric.]

Masfout - nestled in the Hajar Mountains - once an isolated, self-sufficient village seeking safety, has now blossomed into a global tourism hotspot, recently crowned the“best tourist village in the world” by the UN World Tourism Organisation for 2025.

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This is a narrative of a community that, with the guidance of visionary leadership, overcame adversity to become a shining example of the UAE's progress.

A land of mountains and valleys

Masfout's geography has always been its defining feature. Located south of the UAE near Hatta, the region, covering approximately 86.62 sq km, is cradled by the Hajar Mountains, including the prominent peaks of Mount Dafta, Mount Lishin, and the White Mountain.

“The people of the Masfout region are peaceful by nature. They were just looking for a safe place that has food and water,” says Dr Saif bin Aboud Al-Badwawi, a Masfout native born in 1960 and now a key researcher of Ajman's heritage.

The mountains provided a natural defence, and the fertile land, fed by ancient falaj irrigation systems and numerous wadis made it an ideal place for settlement.

The name“Masfout,” Dr Saif explained, likely comes from the Arabic word Masfufah, meaning“sandwiched” or“placed between,” referring to the village being nestled between mountains.

However, some attribute the name to the clarity of its water, from the Arabic words Safi and Safaa, both meaning“clear” or“pure.”

A self-sufficient village

Life in Masfout was simple, and centered around the land from morning until noon. Then, residents would rest, and after noon, they would return to work.

“Agriculture in Masfout was divided into two seasons,” Dr Saif elaborated.“The winter was the best season, with crops like mangoes, lemons, tomatoes, cucumbers, and corn. In the summer, the focus was on dates.”

The village was renowned for its date molasses, or dibs, produced in a traditional method in a special closed room called Al-Medabbesah.“The best thing about the people of Masfout in the past was cooperation,” recalls Dr Saif.“They used to cooperate in everything from collecting dates, arranging them, farming, and everything.”

Masfout was also famous for its honey, harvested from mountain caves, and its high-quality marble, found in a variety of colors.

A time of turmoil

However, Masfout's strategic location also brought conflict. The village was the traditional home of the Al Bedwat tribe, but its position brought it into frequent conflict with neighbouring tribes.

In the early 19th century, the Na'im tribe gained prominence, and in 1815, the Bin Sultan Mosque, one of the oldest in the region, was built.

The early 20th century was a period of turmoil. A Bedouin tribe built a fort at Wadi Hatta in 1905, harassing caravans and bringing them into conflict with the people of Masfout.

The Masfout tower was constructed during this period to defend against such raids. The decline of the pearl-diving economy in the 1920s and the hardships of World War II further exacerbated the situation, leading to food scarcity and raids on the village. It was during this time of desperation that the people of Masfout sought help.

The saviour of Masfout: Sheikh Rashid Al Nuaimi

With their requests to other emirates going unanswered, a delegation from Masfout, led by Saeed Bin Sarour Al Badwawi, turned to Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, former ruler of Ajman. In 1947, Sheikh Rashid, with the support of the local population, claimed Masfout as part of his territory, and it has been an enclave of Ajman ever since.

"Sheikh Rashid became the village's protector. He personally intervened to rescue women who had been abducted by bandits, either through direct action or by sending envoys to negotiate their release." Dr Saif said.

His presence brought a sense of security.“Once we hear the shoot with a rifle in the air, we know that he is in Masfout”. Sheikh Rashid would visit for about three days a month, holding informal majlis under a tree to listen to the people's problems.

A vision for development

Sheikh Rashid's vision extended beyond protection. In 1950, he restored the Masfout Tower. In 1952, he became the first ruler in the Trucial States to issue passports, enabling his citizens to find work in the oil industry.

He secured funding to drill wells, clean the falaj, and establish the first regular school in 1964 and the first clinic in 1963. In 1968, he arranged for the construction of 30 concrete houses for the villagers.

Sheikh Rashid desperately needed the support of the Trucial States Council to develop Masfout, particularly from Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the then ruler of Abu Dhabi and the first President of the UAE. The two leaders are reputed to have had a special bond that proved instrumental in securing resources and support for Masfout's development.

Masfout today: A thriving tourist hub

Today, under the“Masfout 2030” vision, the Ajman government has built upon Sheikh Rashid's foundation, transforming the village into a world-class tourist destination.

Modern Masfout offers a wealth of attractions, including: