Ruler’s younger brother dies on Monday; flags at half-mast across the emirate for 10 days.
DUBAI: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the younger brother of Dubai’s Ruler, died on Monday morning, the Ruler’s Court announced. Dubai declared 10 days of official mourning, beginning Monday, with flags flown at half-mast across the emirate for the whole period.
“You are absent from our eyes but not from our prayers”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, mourned his brother in a personal message on X.
May Allah have mercy on Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. May Allah have mercy on you, my brother. You are now with our Lord, the Most Generous, the Almighty,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote.”
He prayed that his brother would dwell in “the vast expanses” of Paradise, and that Allah would grant his family and loved ones patience and solace. “And to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return,” he concluded.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, also paid tribute to his late uncle. He shared a prayer asking God to grant him mercy and forgiveness, honour his resting place and cleanse him of sins “as a white garment is cleansed of stains”.
A life in uniform, sport and the sea
Sheikh Ahmed was Deputy Chief of Dubai Police and Public Security and Chairman of Al Wasl Sports Club.
He was the fourth and youngest son of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former Vice-President and Ruler of Dubai, regarded as the founder of the emirate. He was also the younger brother of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
After graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK, he joined Dubai’s Central Military Region and later became its commander. Under his leadership, the base grew into one of the UAE’s leading military facilities.
Sheikh Ahmed also played a key role in establishing and launching the Dubai International Marine Club, becoming its first chairman in 1988. It was the first club of its kind in the Middle East and Africa to join the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM). He further supported Dubai’s maritime sport by helping establish the Victory Team in 1989.
