Profiles | Shaikh Maktoum
Omanis sad at death of dynamic leader
Sadness enveloped Oman on the news of the death of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, whom Omanis described as a kind and visionary leader in the region.
- By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:00 January 5, 2006
Muscat: Sadness enveloped Oman on the news of the death of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, whom Omanis described as a kind and visionary leader in the region.
"It is sad to hear that such a kind and dynamic leader has passed away," Sayyid Haitham Bin Tariq Al Saeed, Oman's Minister of Heritage and Culture, told Gulf News yesterday.
Al Saeed, a member of the Omani Royal family, added that Shaikh Maktoum's death was a great loss for Dubai as well as for the Gulf region.
"We hope that his successors would continue to work forward the way he did," he said.
Shaikh Maktoum had put Dubai on the world map with his diverse vision, believes leading Omani lawyer, Dr Tariq Bin Hilal Al Busaidi, who was shocked to hear the news of the UAE leader's demise.
"It is shocking to hear the sad news at a time Dubai is relentlessly marching forward," he felt.
Shaikh Maktoum had a great role in the emirate's march forward, said Dr Al Busaidi. "At a time when the region was reeling under adverse propaganda, the Al Maktoum family and Dubai have helped spread positive vibes about the region to the world," said Dr Al Busaidi, explaining the role Dubai played after the 9/11 attacks against the US.
