UAE Scholar Al Ketbi discloses having four wives, 100 children at Sharjah festival

SHARJAH – Sometimes cultural festivals deliver more than poetry and lectures. At a recent literary event in Sharjah, Emirati cultural scholar Saeed Musabeh Al Ketbi stunned the audience when he casually revealed: he’s the father of 100 children from his four wives.

Yep, you read that right—100. No typo.

Emirati Scholar Saeed Musabeh Al Ketbi Shocks Audience: Father of 100 Children

A short video clip of his remarks spread like wildfire across social media, quickly racking up millions of views. Some users joked, others marveled. But most agreed—it was a jaw-dropping moment.

A Mission Rooted in Tradition

So why did he share such a personal detail? According to Gulf News, Al Ketbi wasn’t bragging. Instead, he explained that his life’s mission is to raise his children with traditional Emirati values, or Al-Sana’a.

These values include:

Respect for elders
Hospitality
Humility
Honesty
A strong sense of family responsibility

In his words, raising a large family is about more than numbers. It’s about preserving culture for the next generation.

Language, Dress, and Pride

Al Ketbi also highlighted his focus on nurturing pride in the Arabic language, encouraging his children to wear Emirati attire, and keeping alive the traditional style of greeting. For him, every detail matters—it’s about carrying heritage into the modern world.

He kept other details private, though. No ages, no daily routines, no glimpse into what life looks like in a household of 100 children. Maybe that’s for the best, because honestly, just imagining the breakfast logistics is overwhelming.

Public Reaction

The revelation sparked plenty of online chatter. Many Emiratis praised his health, dedication, and ability to balance modern life with deep cultural traditions. Others were simply stunned at the scale of his family.

One thing’s for sure: Al Ketbi turned what could’ve been just another festival lecture into a cultural moment that got the entire region talking.