Jabir Bin Merdaw Al-Kaabi was the Sheikh of Mohammerah who established Mohammerah as a free port and shaikhdom during the 19th century of which he was the shaikh. Jabir was a shrewd and calculating individual. He established a cordial relationship with the Qajar kings. He remained in possession of Mohammerah with enjoyment of the title Nusrat-ul-Mulk until his death in October 1881. Jabir also became the imperial-appointed governor-general of his region. Jabir al- Kaabi was the leader of the Bani Kaab Arab tribe and the shaikh of Mohammerah during most of the nineteenth century.