• A young Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. The Ruler of Dubai was born in Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House in Al Shindagha on July 15, 1949.
    A young Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. The Ruler of Dubai was born in Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House in Al Shindagha on July 15, 1949.
  • Dubai in 1950. Al Fahidi Fort in Bur Dubai can be seen in the foreground, with Deira in the middle-right on the other side of the creek. Al Shindagha (left) and Al Ras (right) are in the background across the creek again from Deira.
    Dubai in 1950. Al Fahidi Fort in Bur Dubai can be seen in the foreground, with Deira in the middle-right on the other side of the creek. Al Shindagha (left) and Al Ras (right) are in the background across the creek again from Deira.
  • A 19-year-old Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, pictured at Mons Officer Cadet School - a British military training establishment that closed in 1972, transferring its responsibilities to Sandhurst.
    A 19-year-old Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, pictured at Mons Officer Cadet School - a British military training establishment that closed in 1972, transferring its responsibilities to Sandhurst.
  • Fishermen dock in Dubai harbour in 1960.
    Fishermen dock in Dubai harbour in 1960.
  • Pictured in the 1970s, Sheikh Mohammed was at the centre of efforts to build the UAE up following unification.
    Pictured in the 1970s, Sheikh Mohammed was at the centre of efforts to build the UAE up following unification.
  • Dubai Creek in 1976. By then, Dubai was becoming one of the Arab world's most developed and important commercial centres.
    Dubai Creek in 1976. By then, Dubai was becoming one of the Arab world's most developed and important commercial centres.
  • Sheikh Rashid, Ruler of Dubai, with his son, a 28-year-old Sheikh Mohammed, in 1977.
    Sheikh Rashid, Ruler of Dubai, with his son, a 28-year-old Sheikh Mohammed, in 1977.
  • An aerial view of Dubai's Trade Centre and Sheikh Zayed Road in 1978.
    An aerial view of Dubai's Trade Centre and Sheikh Zayed Road in 1978.
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, aged 34, in Lexington, Kentucky.
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, aged 34, in Lexington, Kentucky.
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid walks among spectators in the royal enclosure at Royal Ascot in Berkshire, UK, in 1985.
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid walks among spectators in the royal enclosure at Royal Ascot in Berkshire, UK, in 1985.
  • Dubai's corniche alongside the creek, with hotels and office buildings to the right, pictured in 1984.
    Dubai's corniche alongside the creek, with hotels and office buildings to the right, pictured in 1984.
  • Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, and Sheikh Mohammed watch the final race of the annual camel festival at Nad Al Sheba in Dubai in April 1996.
    Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, and Sheikh Mohammed watch the final race of the annual camel festival at Nad Al Sheba in Dubai in April 1996.
  • Aerial view of the luxury Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach hotels in Dubai taken in 1999.
    Aerial view of the luxury Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach hotels in Dubai taken in 1999.
  • Sheikh Mohammed takes a break during a 100-kilometre horse race in Cairo in May 2000. Sheikh Mohammed won with a riding time of five hours and 34 minutes.
    Sheikh Mohammed takes a break during a 100-kilometre horse race in Cairo in May 2000. Sheikh Mohammed won with a riding time of five hours and 34 minutes.
  • Dubai's coastline, near the creek, in January 2004.
    Dubai's coastline, near the creek, in January 2004.
  • Sheikh Mohammed and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II greet hundreds of spectators at Emirates Palace after they unveiled a commemorative plaque to celebrate the commencement of construction of the Zayed National Museum in November 2010.
    Sheikh Mohammed and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II greet hundreds of spectators at Emirates Palace after they unveiled a commemorative plaque to celebrate the commencement of construction of the Zayed National Museum in November 2010.
  • Sheikh Mohammed witnesses the installation of the final piece of the facade at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
    Sheikh Mohammed witnesses the installation of the final piece of the facade at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid witness the arrival of the Hope probe in orbit around Mars from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai in July 2020.
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid witness the arrival of the Hope probe in orbit around Mars from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai in July 2020.
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed open Al Wasl Plaza at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai.
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed open Al Wasl Plaza at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai.
  • Dubai. The Museum of the Future, currently under construction, can be seen on Sheikh Zayed Road.
    Dubai. The Museum of the Future, currently under construction, can be seen on Sheikh Zayed Road.

UAE

Dubai Crown Prince leads birthday tributes to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

Ruler of Dubai celebrates 72nd birthday today

The National

July 15, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, led the birthday tributes on social media to his father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

The Ruler of Dubai celebrates his 72nd birthday today, which Sheikh Hamdan marked with a video montage of pictures of Sheikh Mohammed on his Instagram account that ended with the words "happy birthday" in Arabic and English.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, also shared birthday wishes to his father on his Instagram account, as did Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and member of Dubai Council, who added the words "my everything" in the video tribute.

Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed, who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in taekwondo, posted an image of her father performing a military salute with the caption "Happy Birthday my number 1". In her Instastory, she posted an image of Sheikh Mohammed with the words: "More than a teacher, more than a mentor, more than a knight, my #1."

Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed, president of Dubai Women Establishment and the UAE's Gender Balance Council, shared an image of her father with the words: "Happy birthday Dad. I love you eternally like no other."

Numerous prominent UAE companies also took the opportunity to wish Sheikh Mohammed a happy birthday. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chief executive and chairman of Emirates airline, wished Sheikh Mohammed a happy birthday on his Instagram account, while First Abu Dhabi Bank, Gems Education, Aster Healthcare and Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University also posted their congratulations.

Al Jalila Foundation, the not-for-profit healthcare organisation that was founded by Sheikh Mohammed, wished the Dubai Ruler happy birthday with a video on its Twitter account.

Sheikh Mohammed, Ruler of Dubai since 2006 after the untimely passing of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid, is credited with overseeing the rapid transformation of Dubai.

During his time as Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed oversaw the development of the airport and oil industry, and merged Port Rashid and Jebel Ali to create Dubai Ports Authority, now DP World, one of the world’s most successful companies.

The first steps of Dubai's digital transformation began in 1999 when he ordered all government services to move online.

In the 15 years he has been Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed oversaw enormous developments in the emirate, including Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and Dubai Metro.

In more recent years, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre sent the UAE’s first astronaut into space and its Hope probe began orbiting Mars.

Updated: July 15, 2021, 11:20 AM
Sheikh Mohammed bin RashidSheikh Hamdan bin MohammedDubaiDubai Airport