Look: Rare photos show first UAE woman to get driving licence in RAK

Khaleej Times

19 hours ago

At a time when Emirati women's voices were just beginning to shape the nation's story, Mouza Mohammed Saif Nakhkhan quietly made history. With determination and courage, she became one of Ras Al Khaimah's first Emirati women to earn a driver's licence, paving the way for generations to follow.
Although she officially earned her licence on August 5, 1976, just a few years after the Union, Mouza had been driving much earlier. 'She used to tell us she drove cars even before the UAE was formed,' recalls her grandson, Ali Nasser Al-Badawi. 'At that time, transportation was very limited. She would watch others drive, then try on her own until she learned.'
The following story is based on the recollections of Ali Nasser Al-Badawi, the grandson of Mouza Mohammed Saif Nakhkhan ,who passed away in 2010.
Mouza drove to care for livestock, buy groceries, and support her family. She also provided transportation for neighbours.
Helping community
Mouza quickly became the person everyone depended on. She drove her brother to his job as a school guard, ferried children to school, took relatives to the market, and even helped families fetch water in the days before desalination became available. Her generosity reached beyond her family. Teachers, neighbours, and even strangers benefited from her willingness to lend a hand.
For Mouza, driving was a way to serve others. Her daily routine consisted of household chores, trips to the market, visits to relatives, and assisting women in the community.
'More than a driver'
In 1983, when a driving school opened near her home in Al Dhait north area, Mouza became an advocate for women behind the wheel. She would often advise women to learn and encouraged them not to be afraid of the road. Ali recalls her compassion: 'If a woman had an accident or got scared, my grandmother would stop, calm her down, and reassure her. She would say: 'Don't be afraid, I'm a woman just like you.''
Mouza was meticulous about car maintenance. She often reminded her grandchildren: 'Before you start the car, check the tires, check the water, make sure everything is in order.' She would lift the hood herself, inspecting the engine with confidence. Over the years, she drove a range of cars, from her early Datsun to the Mercedes-Benz models she later favoured, as well as minibuses when taking groups of women on outings and to school, where she also worked as a school worker.
To her family, she was more than a driver. She was the heart of the household. 'She was both a mother and father to us,' Ali says. 'She would take me on all her errands. She was the centre of our family.'
She had two sons, Nasser and Khamis, both of whom passed away. She had fourteen grandchildren: four girls and ten boys.
Her home was a place of laughter and togetherness. Known for her cheerful spirit, she loved to gather relatives, making her house a hub of warmth and hospitality. Her grandchildren remember her as a loving, compassionate, and generous person.
Lasting legacy
Even as she grew older, Mouza's attachment to driving never faded. Kidney failure eventually forced her to stop only when she was bedridden. 'Otherwise, she would have kept going,' Ali says. 'She loved driving until the very end.'
Her absence is still deeply felt. Ali describes every journey with her as unforgettable: 'Her absence is painful because every memory with her was special. She made sure we never felt a void.'
Mouza is remembered not only as one of Ras Al Khaimah's first female drivers but also as a pioneer who inspired others. Her courage and leadership echo in every Emirati woman who takes the wheel, reminding us that progress often begins with a single act of bravery.
Ali reflects proudly on her legacy: 'She wasn't just driving a car; she was driving change. She did something big, not small. And we will always be proud of her.'