Right candidate with the right skills to carry the torch of development

Dubai: The appointment of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad as crown prince is a wise decision as he is one of the students in Shaikh Mohammad's leadership school, the Minister of Education has said.

"He has the right skills that make him capable of contributing to the country's and the emirate's development path. He does not have only enough knowledge but also has acquired experience in the last few years that makes him the right candidate.

"My congratulations to Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad who through his closeness to Shaikh Mohammad has acquired a lot of skills," said Dr Hanif Hassan.

Justice Minister Mohammad Nakhira Al Daheri said: "Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad is the right person in the right place.

He is an upright commander and has excellent leadership skills. Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad and his brother Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad belong to the school of late Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

"Shaikh Mohammad saw in Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad his leadership skills. Appointing him along with Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid will further boost the UAE in general and Dubai."

Maysa Ghadeer, Member of Federal National Council, said: "Shaikh Mohammad is always keen to prepare the young leadership in both the Emirate and the country. He supported this young leadership and among them were his children. ... Shaikh Mohammad's decision reflects the Ruler's trust in the young leadership."

Juma Al Majid, a philanthropist, said: "I congratulate Shaikh Hamdan on the succession. He has shared the responsibility with his father in several occasions and I believe that the decision to appoint him as the crown prince in Dubai is suitable and it goes inline with his current position as the Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council as he carried out his duties with remarkable success."

Abdul Gaffar Hussain, an Emirati writer, said: "This is an astute, well-planned and wise step by the Dubai Ruler. I pray to God that it will be a blessed one as well because it adds to Dubai's reputation and supports stability in the growth and development of the emirate."

Dubai's Attorney General Essam Eisa Al Humaidan said: "Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad has been very well trained by an excellent leader, his father Shaikh Mohammad.

"You can be assured that he is an appropriate Crown Prince and will carry on what the late Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed and Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid started many years ago. His appointment resembles a concrete trust in his capabilities as a favourite and treasured young leader.

"We have been benefiting from his leadership skills as Dubai Executive Council's Chairman. Now, with his new duties and responsibilities, our expectations are tremendously high especially that he is wise, hardworking and benevolent."

Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police, said: "We congratulate Shaikh Mohammad for his wise policy. There is a need for young leaders. Shaikh Hamdan as I know is a great man with a great personality. He is an open-minded person, patient and a good listener.

"We wish him the best for our beloved country. Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad is also a wise man and a leader and as I know him, he is perfect young man with a wise mentality. We will all give them all our support for the benefit of our country."

Hussain Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said: "We congratulate our leader Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikh Maktoum. Shaikh Hamdan has left his impression in many fields by playing a vital role in the development of Dubai. He is always looking for Dubai to be unique and successful. We wish them all the success."

Brigadier Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director General of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department, said: "I believe that Shaikh Hamdan has great leadership qualities and is capable of carrying out the duties of the new position. He will be a great aid for Shaikh Mohammad and his succession will motivate our young generation who take Shaikh Hamdan as their role model."

Dr Ahmad Bin Hazeem Al Suwaidi, Director General of Dubai Courts Department, said: "Shaikh Hamdan is the type of leader with whom you feel confident and in high spirits when you work with him. ... The deputy rulers will play a major role in the governing system in Dubai."

Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Traffic Public Prosecution, said: "Shaikh Hamdan is popular and the people of Dubai love and respect him a lot. He is close to the people, down to earth and diligent, and most importantly he's young and filled with enthusiasm. He works hard for the emirate."

Dr Abdullah Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director-General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, said: "The decision comes in line with the future strategy of Dubai of giving greater role to young leaders. Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad is a young and creative leader.

"New blood will bring good things for Dubai as they will implement new ideas that correlate to the future. Education has been on the top agenda for Shaikh Mohammad and following his footsteps Shaikh Hamdan will continue to pay great attention to education."

Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, said: "He is an energetic and resourceful popular figure in our community and doubtless this appointment will further channel his commitment to his public duties.

"We admire the way he has carried out his responsibility over the past few years, especially in his role as chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. He will no doubt move forward in the footsteps of the Al Maktoum Shaikhs in bringing further development and progress to Dubai through hard work."

Khalifa Bin Darai, Executive Manager of Dubai Ambulance Services Centre, said: "The appointment ... is an honour for us ... Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad and Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad have the experience of their father Shaikh Mohammad, as they have accompanied him in his official trips. We are confident that they will carry on the development journey."