UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday, September 21, offered condolences to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, and his family following the death of his brother, Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Ahmed died on Monday morning, and Dubai declared 10 days of official mourning.

Writing on X, the UAE President said: “I extend my deepest condolences to my brother Mohammed bin Rashid and the entire esteemed Al Maktoum family. His good deeds will live on in our memories, and his contributions to the nation bear witness to a life devoted to service.” He prayed for mercy for Sheikh Ahmed and patience and strength for his family. Sheikh Mohamed also paid tribute to Sheikh Ahmed’s longstanding contribution to the UAE’s development since the country’s founding.

The Dubai Ruler’s Court announced Sheikh Ahmed’s death on Monday morning and said flags across Dubai would remain at half-mast throughout the 10-day mourning period.

Sheikh Ahmed, 76, was the fourth and youngest son of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former Ruler of Dubai. His two elder brothers predeceased him: Sheikh Maktoum in 2006, while serving as Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, in 2021. Following Sheikh Ahmed’s death, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid is the former Dubai Ruler’s only surviving son.

After graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, Sheikh Ahmed joined Dubai’s Central Military Command and later became its commander. He served as Deputy Chief of Dubai Police and Public Security and as chairman of Al Wasl Sports Club. In 1988, he became the first chairman of the Dubai International Marine Club.