On the 4th
January 2006, the United Arab Emirates lost one of its most popular
leaders: Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid, the Vice-President and Prime Minister
and the Ruler of the Emirates of Dubai. Born in 1943, Maktoum was the
right hand of his father Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum during the negotiations
that lead to the creation of the Federation of the U.A.E consisting of
seven emirates of the Trucial Coast of Oman with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan
Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi as President and Sheikh Rashid, Ruler of
Dubai as Vice President. In the first government formed after the
constitution of the federation in December 1971, Maktoum was the first
Prime Minister, a position which he held till 1979 when his father, the
Vice President filled the post. Upon the death of his father in 1990 he
became the Vice President and Prime Minister as well as the Ruler of
Dubai.
Maktoum was famous for his
great generosity, kindness and humility. He always put the interest of the
country above everything else. The real modernization of Dubai started in
the reign of his father Rashid and he helped him in the efforts, and
continued the trust towards modernization after the passing away of his
father. Today we see the enormous transformation of Dubai within a few
decades under Rashid, Maktoum and his brother H.H.Sheikh Mohammed, the new
Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Sheik Maktoum will be
greatly missed in the UAE, Arab World, Islamic World and internationally.
He was well liked for the many social projects he executed in the UAE and
some countries in the developing world. He built thousands of houses for
lower income citizens in various emirates as well as orphanages and
schools for the special need children in various places in and out side
the UAE.
Sheik Maktoum was a lover
of sports especially horse racing and he with his brother owned some of
the world’s most famous horses that won many races.
During recent years he left
the day to day running of Dubai to his dynamic and foresighted brother
Sheik Mohammed who is expected now to develop Dubai and the UAE even
further. May Allah rest the soul of Sheik Maktoum in peace.
