 Although characterised at the time and since as actions against piracy , this charge has been disputed by historians and archivists in the UAE in particular , notably the current Ruler of Sharjah , HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi in his book ' The Myth of Arabian Piracy in the Gulf ' . The counter @-@ argument is that the Al Qasimi , a strong and independent maritime force , were the subject of British aggression in an attempt to stamp its authority - and that of its Omani allies - on trade routes thought of as important to Iraq and India . 
