SHEIKH MOHAMMED
His 10.5 million followers on Twitter would know — His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vicepresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is the visionary who inspires a country to make the impossible possible. Today, the well-loved leader — who beams hope to the world be it through touching tweets and tributes or wide-reaching humanitarian projects — turns 72.
Born on July 15, 1949, at Al Maktoum House in Al Shindagha, Sheikh Mohammed is the third of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum’s four sons. On January 4, 2006, he became the Ruler of Dubai. And since then, he has dreamt endlessly and worked tirelessly to turn a desert town into a world-class metropolis.
As the UAE’S Vice-president, he has also been instrumental in the nation’s growth. Several reforms — such as various new types of visas, citizenship, freehold properties and 100 per cent FDI law — placed the UAE among the most attractive countries for foreigners to live and work in. To ensure that the UAE leads from the front in the space race, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre was established.
Sheikh Mohammed has been serving the nation for 53 years now. Paying tribute to his accomplishments, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, once wrote: “In 50 years, Sheikh Mohammed, many things changed around you, but your care, sincerity and love for your country didn’t.”
ON LEADERSHIP
Ruling is not authority or a mere profession… it is a heavy responsibility to safeguard the interests of our nation and working hard so our people may prosper.”
ON GENEROSITY
We cannot be contented at heart till we start giving.”