Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum facts for kids

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In this article, the family name is Al Maktoum.

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Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Sheikh Mohammed in 2021

Vice President of the United Arab Emirates

Incumbent

Assumed office
5 January 2006

Serving with Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2023–present)

President

Preceded by

Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum

4th Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates

Incumbent

Assumed office
11 February 2006

President

Deputies

Hamdan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (2006–2009)
Sultan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (2006–2009)
Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2009–present)
Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2009–present)
Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (2021–present)
Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (2024–present)
Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2024–present)

Preceded by

Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Minister of Defence

In office
9 December 1971 – 2020

President

Preceded by

Post established

Succeeded by

Vacant
Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (in 2024)

President of the United Arab Emirates

Acting

In office
13 May 2022 – 14 May 2022

Preceded by

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Succeeded by

Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Ruler of Dubai

Incumbent

Assumed office
4 January 2006

Preceded by

Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Heir apparent

Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

Born

15 July 1949 (age 75)
Dubai, Trucial States

Spouse

See list

Issue

See list

Full name
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

House

Al Maktoum

Father

Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum

Mother

Latifa bint Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Religion

Islam

Police career

Department

Dubai Police Force

Years of service

1968–1970

Rank

Head of Dubai Police and Public Security

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Arabic: محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم, romanized: Muḥammad bin Rāšid Āl Maktūm; born 15 July 1949) is an important leader in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He is the current ruler of Dubai, and also serves as the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE. He took on these roles in 2006 after his brother, Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, passed away.

Sheikh Mohammed is known for helping Dubai grow into a major global city. He has overseen the creation of many important projects and companies. These include Emirates Airline, a big airline, and famous landmarks like the Palm Islands and the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. He is also very interested in horses and founded the Godolphin horse racing stable.

Early Life and Education

Sheikh Mohammed was born on July 15, 1949. He is the third of four sons of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who was the ruler of Dubai. His family, the Al Maktoum family, has ruled Dubai for a long time. He grew up in a simple home with many people, including guards and helpers.

Learning and School

From a young age, Mohammed had private lessons in Arabic and Islamic Studies. He started formal school in 1955 at Al Ahmedia School. Later, he went to Al Shaab School and Dubai Secondary School. In 1966, he traveled to the United Kingdom to study English. He also trained at the Mons Officer Cadet School and became a top student. He even went to Italy to learn how to fly planes.

Political Career and Leadership

After finishing his military training, Mohammed returned to Dubai at age 20. His father appointed him as the head of the Dubai Police Force and the Dubai Defence Force.

Helping Form the UAE

In 1968, Mohammed was present when his father and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan met to discuss forming a union of emirates. This happened after the British announced they would leave the Trucial States. When the new country of the United Arab Emirates was created on December 2, 1971, Mohammed became its first Minister of Defence at just 22 years old.

He helped keep peace and order in the new country. For example, in 1972, he helped resolve a conflict in the Emirate of Sharjah. He also played a role in handling airplane hijackings in the 1970s, working to ensure the safety of people involved. In 1977, he helped combine Dubai's military forces with those of the other emirates.

Becoming Crown Prince

On January 3, 1995, Mohammed's brother, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who was the ruler of Dubai, named Mohammed as the Crown Prince of Dubai. This meant Mohammed was next in line to become ruler.

Mohammed also started the Dubai Shopping Festival in late 1995. This yearly event has become very important for Dubai's economy.

Ruler of Dubai and UAE Leader

Mohammed became the ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006, after his brother Maktoum passed away. The next day, he was chosen as the new vice president of the UAE. Soon after, he also became the prime minister of the UAE.

As a leader, Sheikh Mohammed has worked to support women's development. He created the Dubai Establishment for Women Development in 2006 and the UAE Gender Balance Council in 2015.

In 2020, he led the UAE government in approving a peace agreement with Israel. This helped to create diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Exploring Space

Sheikh Mohammed is very interested in space. In 2015, he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre. This center announced plans to send a spacecraft to Mars to study its atmosphere. He said Mars was chosen for its "epic challenge," which would help the Emirati economy. The mission was named Hope, to "send a message of optimism to millions of young Arabs."

The Hope mission successfully reached Mars on February 9, 2021. It was the first space mission from an Arab country. In 2020, Mohammed announced a second mission, this time to the moon. The Emirates Lunar Mission used a lunar rover called Rashid, which was built in the UAE. It launched in December 2022. Also, Sheikh Mohammed's book, "The Journey From the Desert to the Stars," was launched from the International Space Station (ISS) by an Emirati astronaut.

Business and Development

Sheikh Mohammed has guided the creation and growth of many businesses and economic projects in Dubai. Many of these are managed by companies he owns, like Dubai World and Dubai Holding. Dubai has grown a lot under his leadership, partly because he allowed foreigners to buy property there in 2002.

He established Dubai World in 2006. This company manages many important businesses, including the logistics company DP World and the property developer Nakheel Properties. These companies have projects all over the world.

Sheikh Mohammed's personal company, Dubai Holding, also invests in many different areas. It has grown thanks to its connection with Dubai's ruling family.

Starting Emirates Airline

In the 1970s, Mohammed was in charge of Dubai's energy and civil aviation. In March 1985, he founded Emirates Airline. He gave the airline a starting budget of $10 million. The first flight took off on October 25, 1985. Emirates has grown into one of the world's leading airlines without needing more government money.

In 1989, Mohammed started the first Dubai Airshow. This event has become huge, with many companies showing off their aircraft. In 2013, Emirates placed the largest airplane order in history at this show.

Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Hotels

Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach

The Burj Al Arab hotel opened in December 1999. Sheikh Mohammed wanted a "truly iconic" building, and this hotel, built on an island, is known as "the world's most luxurious hotel." He also launched Jumeirah, a hotel management company, in 1997. Jumeirah now manages many hotels in different countries.

Dubai Internet City

In October 1999, Mohammed announced Dubai Internet City (DIC), a special area for technology companies. It offers companies long leases and easy access to government services. DIC has grown to employ about 15,000 people. In November 2000, Dubai Media City, a free zone for media production, was added next to DIC. Sheikh Mohammed has also supported media freedoms, banning the imprisonment of journalists for libel in 2007.

Palm Islands Development

Palm Jumeirah seen from space

The famous Palm Islands were developed by Nakheel Properties, a company founded by Sheikh Mohammed. These artificial islands are a major part of Dubai's landscape.

Interests and Philanthropy

Sheikh Mohammed is involved in many charitable and community projects.

Global Initiatives

The Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives (MBRGI) is a large charitable foundation. It brings together over 33 different charities and programs. These programs work on more than 1,400 development projects, including the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU).

Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government

He also established the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government. This is a school and research center focused on public policy and how governments work.

Helping Others

Mohammed has provided aid to different communities. For example, he gave 600 houses to Gaza after a conflict in 2008–2009. In 2000, he donated €4 million for the building of the Essalaam Mosque in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

In 2017, he added two new initiatives to the MBRGI: the International Institute for Tolerance and the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for Tolerance. These aim to promote tolerance, build a strong society, and reject extremism and discrimination based on religion, gender, race, color, or language.

Sporting Interests

Mohammed is a very important person in international thoroughbred horse racing and breeding. He owns Darley Stud, which is the biggest horse breeding operation in the world, with farms in many countries. He also owns Godolphin, a famous horse racing stable.

He loved horses from a young age. He attended his first formal race in 1967. By 1977, he won his first race as an owner. In 1994, he founded Godolphin, which has won many major races around the world.

Racing silks of Mohammed (Darley Racing)

In 1996, the Dubai World Cup was started. It is one of the richest horse races in the world, held at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed and his son Hamdan participating in an endurance ride

Sheikh Mohammed is also an endurance riding champion. At 63, he won the 2012 World Endurance Championship. His sons and niece have also won medals in equestrian sports. In 2013, he gave a large sum of money to the UAE national football team when they won the Gulf Cup.

Personal Life

Sheikh Mohammed has many children from several wives. He is currently married to his first wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Al Maktoum. He was also married to Princess Haya bint Hussein, but they are now divorced. A British court made rulings about the welfare of their children.

He attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London in 2022. Besides Arabic, he also speaks English.

Wealth and Assets

Sheikh Mohammed is a very wealthy person. He owns a large yacht named Dubai, which is one of the biggest in the world. He also owns properties in the United Kingdom and other countries.

Wives and Children

Sheikh Mohammed has been married to several women. As of 2023, he is divorced from all his wives except his first wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Al Maktoum.

Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum

Mohammed and Hind married in 1979. They have 12 children:

Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1980)
Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (1981–2015)
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1982), Crown Prince of Dubai
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1983), First Deputy Ruler of Dubai
Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1987), Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai
Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1988)
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (III) (born 1989)
Sheikha Maryam bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (II) (born 1992)
Sheikha Sheikha bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1992)
Sheikha Futtaim bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1994)
Sheikha Salamah bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1999)
Sheikha Shamma bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 2001)

Haya bint Hussein

Sheikh Mohammed married Princess Haya bint Hussein in 2004, and they divorced in 2019. They have two children:

Sheikha Al Jalila bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 2007)
Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 2012)

Other Children

Sheikh Mohammed has other children from previous marriages:

Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1977)
Sheikha Dalal bint Mohammed Al Maktoum
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (I) (born 1983)
Sheikha Maryam bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (I) (born 1987)
Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1980)
Sheikha Shamsa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1981)
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (II) (born 1985)
Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1987)
Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1989)
Sheikh Marwan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1981)
Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 1994)
Sheikha Haya bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (born 2000)

Honours and Awards

Sheikh Mohammed has received many honours from different countries:

Brazil: Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross (2021)
Bahrain: Collar of the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa
KSA: First Class of the Order of King Abdulaziz
Spain: Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III
Morocco: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Throne
Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau (1974)
UAE: Collar of the Order of Zayed (2012)
United Kingdom: Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) (2010)
United Kingdom: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire