Sheikh Hamdan turns 43 today; here are 5 ways he continues to win our hearts

How do you celebrate a person? You could get cakes, write long messages on social media, or pick out a number of photographs that showcase their best moments. Or, you could talk about the things that make them special. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, is one of the best known gems of the UAE. He is so loved that most refer to him by his pen name, Fazza.

And so, today, as he turns 43 on November 14, we look at some reasons behind why he is so popular.

But first, why does Sheikh Hamdan need a pen name to begin with?

We’ve seen him so often as the adventurer, the diplomat, the influencer – but the royal has another side too: he is a poet. The royal is proficient in Nabati poetry. The name Fazza itself translates to a person who rushes to the aid of others.

He has described poetry on his official website, Hamdan.ae, as: “My identity and poetic character through which I humbly attempt to rekindle joy in the hearts of people, alleviate their suffering in my own simple way. I express their hopes and aspirations.”

Here’s how Fazza has claimed hearts over the years:

1. Sheikh Hamdan has brought the community together

Yes, though various initiatives – the most well-known of which is the ongoing Dubai Fitness Challenge. He kicked off the 30x30 project – which aims to get people moving for at least 30 minutes each day over a 30 day period – in 2017, and that’s drawn people from across the country. Each year, there are a plethora of free classes, races, and challenges across the emirate.

2. He is an adventurer

He shows us glimpses of his personal life and projects that he’s undertaken. We are right there with him when he decides to skydive over The Palm or climb atop Burj Khalifa. It seems like a casual conversation – and invite – to the life that belongs to a celebrity. No wonder we are all wide eyed and hooked to his social media feed.

3. We’ve seen him rescue animals

Fazza is known for his love of animals and often we’ll see pictures of him with falcons, horses and other animals, some of whom he has helped rescue. It helps that he’s a good photographer too – and not shy about sharing his encounters with the wild side.

4. He’ll introduce you to some excellent places to eat

He is a trendsetter alright, but if you do end up following his list of places to visit, you won’t be disappointed by what you see. He was recently seen at Carbone Dubai at Atlantis The Royal in UAE. For other hot spots, click here.

5. He’s a prized horseman

Fazza has always loved horses and has over the years honed his horse-riding hobby to a point where it’s yielded national and international championships.

Among his accomplishments are a gold medal at 2001’s World Youth Endurance Championship, Spain and first place at the King of Spain Endurance Cup in 2002.