Thank you, Sheikh Mohammed
DUBAI — The UAE’s leaders, top officials and residents paid emotional tributes to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for dedicating five decades in the service of the nation. The country came as one to express gratitude in response to the call of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to thank the Dubai Ruler.
His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, perhaps said it best: Sheikh Mohammed’s “five decades of achievements are difficult to summarise in words. If we are aspiring for a leading position, we can only look for the achievements of Sheikh Mohammed, who honestly pursued the paths of tolerance, wisdom and leadership.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has dedicated five decades in serving the nation. As a tribute, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Saturday penned a touching letter, in which he called the Dubai Ruler his “brother, teacher and the companion of my journey”. The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince also urged “those in this country and beyond to say a word of thanks to the leader who enriched the country with his thoughts, visions, innovations and his exceptional initiatives”. Rulers, top officials, businessmen and residents came out in full force to thank the iconic leader as the letter went viral. Khaleej Times, too, opened a forum online under #ThankYouHHShkMohd_KT, inviting readers to share their gratitude. Here’s a compilation of some of the messages.
1995
Sheikh Mohammed established the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) and adopted the tourist slogan ‘Destination Dubai’.
1999
Launched the initiative ‘Dubai Internet City’, which became the information technology hub for Dubai.
2001
Sheikh Mohammed’s vision for ‘Dubai eGovernment’, an initiative that stated government departments in Dubai must go online, becomes a reality. Services of 24 local government departments were made available online, 365 days of the year.
2006
Another milestone move for Dubai was the opening of the Palm Jumeirah; a luxury haven for residents and tourists. To imagine the city’s landscape without it is hard, as it has become one of the most photographed places in the world.
2007
Instrumental in launching humanitarian projects too, Sheikh Mohammed launched Dubai Cares, an initiative which raises money to educate children in poor and developing countries. To date, the charity has touched 16 million young lives in 45 countries.
2009
This was a milestone for Dubai and it put the city on the map in terms of its strides in public transport options. Sheikh Mohammed opened the Dubai Metro and within the first two years of operation, it smashed its original target of transporting 35 million passengers, more than doubling it to 84.2 million.
2010
It’s the architectural feat millions around the world still flock to and talk about. In 2010, Sheikh Mohammed launched the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
2013
This was the year that the UAE won the right to host the World Expo in Dubai in 2020. Marking the first time the event will ever be hosted in the Middle East, the efforts from Sheikh Mohammed towards making Dubai the tourist and culture hub of the world were essential in securing and winning this bid.
2015
Sheikh Mohammed unveiled a vision that would cement Dubai as a cultural hub. A place for the region’s creatives to congregate, the purpose-built Dubai Design District finally came to life and opened its doors to the public in 2015.