76 years of vision: Sheikh Mohammed's legacy in shaping the UAE

Dubai: On July 15, 2025, as Dubai celebrates the 76th birthday of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the emirate honors a leader whose humanitarian vision has touched millions worldwide. 

From leading the 1 Billion Meals initiative to pardoning thousands of inmates, launching the record-breaking Fathers’ Endowment campaign, delivering critical medical aid to crisis zones, and paying tribute to his wife’s contributions through the Thank You Sheikha Hind campaign, Sheikh Mohammed’s 2025 gestures reflect his commitment to compassion and community.

Below are some of the most notable humanitarian initiatives led by His Highness in 2025: 

On July 4, 2025, Sheikh Mohammed announced the successful completion of the 1 Billion Meals initiative, one of the region’s largest humanitarian efforts, reaching its ambitious goal of delivering one billion meals across 65 countries. Originally launched in Ramadan 2022, the initiative reflects the UAE’s enduring commitment to global humanitarianism.

Sheikh Mohammed also unveiled plans to distribute an additional 260 million meals over the coming year, supported by a newly established sustainable real estate endowment to ensure the initiative’s longevity. The campaign’s success was driven by strong public engagement and strategic partnerships with UN agencies and humanitarian organizations, with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) playing a central role in coordinating efforts to combat hunger and promote sustainable development worldwide.

In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed had ordered the release of 1,518 prisoners of different nationalities from Dubai’s correctional and punitive establishments, ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

And in June, the Ruler of Dubai had ordered the release of 985 inmates of various nationalities from Dubai’s correctional and punitive establishments, ahead of Eid Al Adha.

Chancellor Essam Issa Al Humaidan, Attorney General of Dubai, said that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s order to pardon the inmates reflects his keenness to bring happiness to their families and give them an opportunity to start a new life and reintegrate themselves into society.

Under the directives of Sheikh Mohammed, Dubai Humanitarian carried out two major humanitarian airlifts in April 2025. On April 11, a flight was dispatched to Myanmar following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake, delivering 39.5 metric tonnes of critical medical supplies in coordination with the World Health Organization to support approximately 150,000 people.

Later that month, on April 24, a second airlift delivered 56.8 metric tonnes of essential WHO medical supplies to El Arish Airport in Egypt to aid more than 250,000 people in Gaza, marking the 25th shipment from Dubai to the besieged enclave.

Both operations reflect the UAE’s steadfast commitment to international humanitarian response and the leadership’s determination to stand by affected communities in times of crisis.

Launched by Sheikh Mohammed on February 21, 2025, under MBRGI, the Fathers’ Endowment campaign raised an unprecedented Dh3.72 billion, surpassing its Dh1 billion target with contributions from over 277,000 donors. Honoring fathers during Ramadan and aligning with the UAE’s “Year of Community,” the campaign established a sustainable healthcare endowment for the needy, supporting hospital development and medical supplies.

Sheikh Mohammed celebrated its success on X, stating, “This nation is truly blessed, blessed with generosity, with achievement, with tolerance.”

On January 4, 2025, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Thank You Sheikha Hind campaign to honour his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, for her unwavering support and lifelong contributions to family, society, and humanitarian work.

The initiative, launched in lieu of traditional Accession Day celebrations, pays tribute to Sheikha Hind’s inspiring role in promoting Emirati family values, empowering women, and driving impactful charitable and social initiatives. 

At the World Economic Forum 2025, Sheikh Mohammed’s MBRGI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UNHCR, pledging $10 million (Dh 36 million) to support sustainable livelihoods for forcibly displaced communities. Signed by Saeed Al Eter, Assistant Secretary General at MBRGI and Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the agreement aims to empower refugees and internally displaced families through Zakat and Sadaqah donations.