Dubai is in a period of collective mourning this week following the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the younger brother of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Ahmed passed away on Monday at the age of 76, prompting an outpouring of condolences from across the Gulf region and the international community.
Born in Dubai on July 12, 1950, Sheikh Ahmed was a long-serving public figure whose contributions spanned security, business and sport. He held the position of Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and served as Group Chairman of ARM Holding, a prominent UAE-based private investment firm. Beyond his institutional roles, he was widely remembered as a passionate patron of sport in the Emirates, having established the Jebel Ali Racecourse in 1990 and guided Al Wasl Sports Club through several decades as its president, helping the club secure multiple UAE Pro League football titles.
A nation observes ten days of mourning
Following the announcement of his passing, the Dubai Ruler’s Court declared ten days of official mourning across the emirate, beginning on Monday, September 21. Flags across Dubai are being flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period, a customary sign of respect for a senior member of the ruling family. Several government activities were adjusted to reflect the solemn occasion, and live entertainment events scheduled during the period were cancelled in accordance with tradition.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, visibly moved by his brother’s passing, shared a heartfelt message on social media: “You are absent from our eyes, but not from our prayers and hearts.” The tribute resonated widely across the UAE, capturing the depth of the loss felt by the Al Maktoum family and the broader Dubai community.
Funeral held at Zabeel Grand Mosque
The funeral prayer for Sheikh Ahmed was held on Tuesday at 1pm at Zabeel Grand Mosque in Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid personally led the prayer, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, was also present at the front of the funeral procession.
Following the prayer, Sheikh Ahmed’s body was transported to Umm Hurair cemetery, where he was laid to rest in the presence of senior royals and dignitaries.
Condolences were received at the Zabeel Majlis over three days, with sessions held from 10am until Dhuhr prayers, and again in the evenings after Asr prayers until Maghrib. The arrangement allowed members of the public, officials and visiting delegations the opportunity to pay their respects to the family in person.
Condolences from across the region and beyond
The scale of condolences reflects Sheikh Ahmed’s standing not only within the UAE but across the wider Gulf and international diplomatic community. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was among the first to convey condolences, writing that Sheikh Ahmed’s “longstanding contributions to the development of the UAE since its founding continue to inspire our nation’s journey of progress.”
Rulers’ courts in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain each issued separate messages of condolence to Sheikh Mohammed and the Al Maktoum family. Notably, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah also announced their own ten-day mourning periods in solidarity.
International condolences followed swiftly. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally called Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to express his sympathies, asking that the family be granted patience and solace during this difficult period. Leaders from Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman also sent messages, as did India’s Prime Minister and Syria’s President, underlining the broad respect Sheikh Ahmed commanded across political and diplomatic circles.
A life remembered
Sheikh Ahmed’s passing marks the end of an era for many who watched him build institutions that shaped both Dubai’s security apparatus and its sporting culture. His decades of work at Al Wasl Sports Club, in particular, left a lasting imprint on Emirati football, with the club recording several championship successes under his stewardship. His role in founding the Jebel Ali Racecourse also reflected his enduring interest in equestrian sport, an important thread in the UAE’s cultural heritage.
As the ten-day mourning period continues, Dubai residents and visitors will notice flags at half-mast and a more subdued public atmosphere across the emirate, a fitting tribute to a figure whose life was closely intertwined with the city’s modern development.
Comments 1