185-YEAR HISTORY OF DUBAI

In this chapter, Sheikh Mohammed traces the 185-year-old history of Dubai. He also lists out lessons from the “unwritten constitution” of Dubai.

Dubai is not a coincidence. It is the result of a long journey that began 185 years ago. The journey started with Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti in the 19th century. He laid the foundation stone for the emirate. His main target was to make Dubai safe for all of its citizens.

He was followed by his brother, Sheikh Saeed bin Butti, who introduced justice principles. Justice is an essential part of the ruling family in Dubai. We should not wrong anyone and we shouldn’t accept wrong either. Justice is the first lesson in Dubai’s unwritten institution.

Sheikh Saeed’s term witnessed very difficult years as several inter-tribe wars occurred. He, however, implemented security and made alliances with Abu Dhabi and the other emirates. He also knew how to deal with the British. Wellbalanced relations and alliances are the second lesson in the unwritten constitution of Dubai.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher came to office at the end of the 19th century and he had a brilliant economic vision. In 1902, all of the Gulf countries increased the taxes imposed on goods. Sheikh Maktoum removed customs on goods and welcomed traders. Such open policies made Dubai a centre for trade and export. Openness is the third lesson in Dubai’s unwritten constitution — to be open for all and establish a free market.

My grandfather, Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum, ruled Dubai from 1912, and under his reign, Dubai witnessed unprecedented development.

As per my grandfather’s will, economic diversification was the track my father, Sheikh Rashid, followed. He established ports and expanded the creek, developing freezones and airports, and starting big companies. Economic diversification is the fourth lesson in Dubai’s unwritten constitution. It is the legacy inherited by the ruling family, and it is the guarantee that what he have achieved in 185 years will never be wasted by relying on one source of living. In what he is calling his “incomplete biography”, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has broken his latest book, Qissati (My Story), into 50 chapters, narrating 50 stories in his 50 years of serving the nation. Khaleej Times got a signed copy of the book from the Dubai Ruler and everyday, we will be featuring excerpts from each of the 50 chapters.

Economic diversification is the fourth lesson in Dubai’s unwritten constitution. It is the guarantee that what he have achieved in 185 years will never be wasted by relying on one source of living.”