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Early History
This area was converted to Islam in the 7th century. For centuries it was embroiled in dynastic disputes. It became known as the Pirate Coast as raiders who were based there harassed foreign shipping, even when both European and Arab navies patrolled the area from the 17th century into the 19th century. Early British expeditions to protect the Indian trade from raiders at Ras al-Khaimah led to campaigns against that headquarters and other harbors along the coast in 1819 . The year after, a general peace treaty was signed to which all the principal sheikhs of the coast adhered to. Raids continued intermittently until 1835, when the sheikhs agreed not to engage in hostilities at sea. In 1853, they signed a treaty with the United Kingdom, under which the sheikhs (the "Trucial Sheikhdoms") agreed to a "perpetual maritime truce." It was enforced by the United Kingdom, and any disputes among sheikhs were referred to the British for settlement.
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