New book celebrates Rashid’s role in transforming Dubai
ETIHAD MUSEUM EVENT PAYS TRIBUTE TO FORMER RULER ON 60TH ACCESSION ANNIVERSARY
Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum’s role in transforming Dubai into a modern city was highlighted during an event held at Etihad Museum to commemorate the later Dubai Ruler’s 60th accession anniversary.
The projects he established in Dubai and his ambitious character were main points of discussion at the event organised by Dubai Culture. A book titled Rashid: The Leader Who Envisioned the Future was launched on the occasion.
Sharing his personal experiences with Shaikh Rashid, Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and General Security in Dubai, said Shaikh Rashid was a “unique” leader who was innovative, and one who strategically planned the emirate for the future.
Visionary leader
“Something I witnessed during his reign was his decision to build the Jebel Ali Port. He retained a personal interest in Jebel Ali Port and visited the site many times. At that point, many people did not view it as a strategic plan for the emirate, but it later turned out to become one of the world’s major and successful ports,” he said.
Lt Gen Tamim said this was the biggest example of how he was planning ahead and making early preparations for the post-oil era.
“Today the revenues from the Jebel Ali Port way exceed that of the oil revenue.” ■
Other projects Shaikh Rashid accomplished included Al Maktoum Bridge, which spanned the Creek, joining Dubai with Deira and eliminating the long trip around the head of the Creek; and Dubai airport, which bore immediate reward as demand for seats grew much faster than anticipated.
The panel discussion titled ‘March of a Leader’ was attended by various government officials.
Dr Rafiaa Obaid Gobash, founder of the Women’s Museum in Dubai, shed light on how Shaikh Rashid was a leader who prioritised health and the education sector in the emirate and laid down foundations of tolerance and coexistence within the multiple communities living on his land.
“One example is Al Maktoum Hospital, which became the first modern hospital. The health care services in Dubai began to develop faster than any other emirate. People from neighbouring countries started coming to Dubai for medical treatment.”
Empowerment of women
Dr Gobash said Shaikh Rashid also empowered women to get their education.
“When the first two schools opened in Dubai, there were only a few female students enrolled until Shaikh Rashid decided to send his girls to one of the schools to show society that it was OK to do so.
“By the end of the year, some 490 female students had joined. In a traditional society many needed the assurance that it was important for girls to be educated and he gave them that assurance,” she said
Dr Gobash pointed out that Shaikh Rashid won people’s love and faith as he strongly advocated justice.
“He was also a man who set an excellent example for religious tolerance and respect for each other’s beliefs.”
The father of modern Dubai, who ruled the emirate from 1958 till his death on October 7, 1990, was renowned for his generosity, philanthropy and helping the needy. He also relied on his majlis which provided a vibrant stage for debate. Surrounded by men whose opinions he valued, projects were dissected, moulded and implemented by members of the majlis.