Dubai: Residents across the seven emirates expressed their deepest condolences for the death of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the death on Wednesday morning. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid was 75 years old, and the second son of the late Dubai ruler Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
From business leaders and prominent social media personalities to students and employees, a vast number of residents flooded social networking sites to share their grief and offer their heartfelt condolences to Dubai’s ruling family.
Emirati writer Hassan Sajwani said: “Dubai is sad today… Dubai lost a hero, a legend a thinker. Our Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. My heartfelt condolences to you, Dubai, and the entire UAE on the sad demise of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid, a man who had countless achievements in this country.”
Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, former chief of Dubai Police, said: “The eyes are in tears, and the heart is grieved for your demise, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid. We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.”
Dr Abdul Khaliq Abdullah, a professor of political science, said: “The UAE mourns the passing of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Dubai is also in mourning for a period of three days. May his soul rest in Paradise. May God have mercy on him and forgive him.”
Rashad Bukhash, chairman of UAE Architectural Heritage Society, said: “May God have mercy on the man who owned the biggest heart, a man of humanity, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. May he rest in Paradise.”
Hussain Sajwani, chairman of DAMAC Group, wrote: “I am deeply saddened by the news of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his whole family and the people of the UAE. He will be truly missed and forever live in our hearts and minds.”
Social media users adopted the hashtag #RIPSheikhHamdan as they offered prayers and recitals from the Quran.
A montage of photos were also posted online as UAE residents remembered the kind soul of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid, as they expressed their grief and solace.
“A third candle was extinguished from Dubai,” wrote one social media user, who called herself Alnoon. “May God bring them together in His paradise,” she added, with the caption that accompanied the photos of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed and Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
