Dubai woke to a wave of quiet grief on Tuesday as the emirate began a 10-day period of official mourning following the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, brother of Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Funeral prayers were held at Zabeel Grand Mosque, with condolences being received over three days as members of the ruling family, government officials and members of the public paid their respects to a man who spent decades shaping both the emirate’s security apparatus and its sporting soul.
A life of dual service
Sheikh Ahmed’s public life unfolded across two very different, but equally influential, arenas. As Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police, he held a senior position within one of the force’s most important institutions, contributing to the emirate’s reputation for safety and stability even as Dubai transformed into a global metropolis. At the same time, he served as Group Chairman of ARM Holding, a UAE-based private investment firm, giving him a hand in shaping the commercial landscape that underpins much of Dubai’s modern economy.
It was in sport, however, that Sheikh Ahmed carved out a legacy that will likely endure the longest in the public memory. He was the driving force behind the establishment of the Jebel Ali Racecourse in 1990, a venue that helped cement Dubai’s status as a serious player in international horse racing long before the emirate became synonymous with the sport on the global stage. Racing insiders and enthusiasts across the region have spoken of his personal passion for horses and his hands-on involvement in developing the racecourse into a respected fixture on the UAE’s sporting calendar.
Beyond the racetrack, Sheikh Ahmed served for several decades as president of Al Wasl Sports Club, one of the most storied names in Emirati football. Under his stewardship, the club became a symbol of local footballing pride, and tributes from current and former players in recent days have highlighted his personal involvement in the club’s affairs, from youth development to matchday attendance.
A brother’s tribute
The depth of the loss felt within the ruling family was made public in a heartfelt message from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, posted on social media platform X. In a short but emotionally resonant tribute, the Ruler of Dubai wrote that his brother was “absent from our eyes, but not from our prayers and hearts” — words that quickly resonated across the UAE and were shared widely by residents expressing their own condolences.
The announcement of the 10-day mourning period reflects the significance the UAE places on marking the passing of senior members of its ruling families. During this time, flags across government buildings are expected to fly at half-mast, and a range of official events and functions are likely to be scaled back or postponed as a mark of respect.
Condolences from across the region
In the hours following the announcement, messages of condolence began arriving from ruling families and senior officials across the Gulf and wider Arab world, underscoring the extent of Sheikh Ahmed’s standing beyond Dubai’s borders. Football federations, racing bodies and business figures who crossed paths with him over the decades have also issued statements recalling his generosity, his commitment to mentorship, and his quiet insistence on giving young Emirati athletes a genuine platform to succeed.
For many residents of Dubai, the mourning period is also a moment of reflection on how much the emirate’s identity — both as a global commercial hub and as a serious sporting nation — was shaped by a generation of leaders who worked away from the spotlight yet left an outsized mark. Sheikh Ahmed’s dual legacy, straddling institutional security work and grassroots sporting development, is a reminder that Dubai’s rapid rise was built not just on skyscrapers and free zones, but on individuals deeply invested in community institutions.
As the city observes the coming days of mourning, attention will likely turn to how Al Wasl Sports Club and the Jebel Ali Racecourse choose to honour his memory in the longer term, whether through commemorative events, naming tributes, or continued investment in the programmes he championed. For now, Dubai pauses — a city known for moving fast, taking a moment to remember one of the figures who helped it get there.
Comments 1