Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, younger brother of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has died at the age of 76.
Dubai authorities have declared 10 days of official mourning, with flags across the emirate to be flown at half-mast.
Sheikh Mohammed, who is also Ruler of Dubai, mourned his brother in a post on social media.
“May God have mercy on Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. May God have mercy on you, my brother,” he wrote.
“You are absent from our eyes but not from our prayers and hearts, O Ahmed. May God make you dwell in the vast expanses of His Paradise and inspire us and your loved ones with patience and solace,” he added.
President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also expressed condolences to the Dubai Ruler, describing Sheikh Ahmed’s contributions to the country’s development since its founding as significant and saying his legacy would continue to inspire national progress.
Sheikh Ahmed was the fourth and youngest son of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, former Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
He held senior roles across Dubai’s security, sports and business sectors, including as Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security, and was involved in horse racing and real estate.
He is credited with significant contributions to the development of modern-day Dubai.
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