Profiles | Shaikh Maktoum
Khalifa leads mourning in UAE
The UAE mourned Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the late Ruler of Dubai and Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, who passed away early morning yesterday.
- By Mohammed Almezel, Assistant Editor
- Published: 00:00 January 5, 2006
Dubai: The UAE mourned Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the late Ruler of Dubai and Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, who passed away early morning yesterday.
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan described Shaikh Maktoum as ?a historic leader?, who dedicated his life to the development of the UAE and the welfare of its citizens.
Shaikh Maktoum, born in 1943 in Shindagha, passed away in Australia, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). He was succeeded by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as the Ruler of Dubai.
?Shaikh Maktoum was an example of sincere national commitment. He placed his country?s interest over any other consideration,? said a tribute issued by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.
?Instances of the shining record and legacy of Shaikh Maktoum while serving his country are countless. His constructive role in establishing the UAE and enhancing its federal process and other fields of national action will remain engraved in the memory of the country and its people,? the ministry statement said.
The Dubai Ruler?s Court also paid tribute to Shaikh Maktoum. Tributes and condolence messages also poured in from Gulf and Arab countries as well as from all over the world.
Shaikh Maktoum assumed power as Ruler of Dubai, following the death of his father Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, on October 7, 1990.
In 1968, at the age of 25, he joined his father in talks with the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and other senior officials on the formation of the federation.
His skill as a statesman played a major part in the formation of the UAE federation on December 2, 1971. He was appointed as the prime minister, presiding over the first meeting of the UAE cabinet on April 2, 1972.
Within Dubai, his leadership led to great achievements as shown in the many infrastructure and utility projects completed during the 1980s and 1990s.
He also paid paramount attention to the development of national human resources. Shaikh Maktoum is also credited with introducing Arabs to the world of international equestrian competitions.
Funeral today
The funeral of Shaikh Maktoum will be held today after the arrival of his body from Australia. He will be buried at Umm Hurair Graveyard in Bur Dubai. Funeral prayers will be performed at Zabeel Mosque at noon.
The government announced that ministries and public sector establishments will be closed for seven days staring from yesterday.
The private sector will be closed for three days beginning from today, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
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