National Day Supplement 2014 December 2014 | Page 5

43rd National Day

HH SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID
BIN SAEED AL MAKTOUM – VICE
PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER OF
THE UAE AND RULER OF DUBAI

H

H Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum is perhaps
one of the most photographed
rulers of the UAE. He is
recognised and celebrated for his
many fruitful initiatives which have led
to Dubai’s growth into a global city.
He is a distinguished poet in classical
Arabic and the Bedouin Nabati style,
an aviator and qualified pilot and an
astute businessman. He is also a keen
equestrian and very well known in
the international thoroughbred horse
racing and breeding circuit.
Sheikh Mohammed became the Ruler
of Dubai on January 4, 2006 and
was selected by the Federal National
Council as the new Vice President of
the UAE. On February 11 of the same
year, the Council approved President
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s
nomination of Sheikh Mohammed for
Prime Minister.
He is viewed as a compassionate,
humble and visionary leader. He is
known for his zero tolerance policy
on corruption within government.
His philanthropic work includes the
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Foundation
which
focuses
on
education in the Middle East with a
view towards bridging the gap between
the Arab region and the developed
world, Dubai Cares, a campaign which
was started to raise funds to educate
one million children in poor countries
and Noor Dubai among many others.
HH Sheikh Mohammed is very
respected and loved by his countrymen.

Sheikh
Mohammed
bin
Rashid Al Maktoum Quotes
“I want a government that toils 24
hours a day, just like airlines. I want
it to be close to people, welcoming all
clients akin to that welcome received
by hotels’ guests. I want the citizens to
be able to process all their government
transactions in one place, on a mobile
one-stop shop.”
“I live a simple life, my life away from
leadership is very simple. I wake up early,
clean up and pray. I have breakfast with
my family. Sometimes I visit my friends,
have a cup of coffee, or visit shopping
malls and have lunch at a restaurant one
of them recommends and see people.
This simple life makes me happy.”
“We should always be
realistic and optimistic.”

practical,

“Dubai’s success is an extension of Abu
Dhabi’s success and vice-versa. The same
dynamic applies to the other emirates;
Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al
Khaimah and Fujairah. The union of these
seven emirates represents an unshakable
force and an impregnable fortress that
cannot be weakened by challenges. This
union is the source of all our confidence
and our strength.”
“Our aid has humanitarian objectives
only; it is never governed by politics
or limited by the geography, race,
colour or religion of the beneficiary.
We provide humanitarian capital and
are a major relief station for the poor;
we do not hesitate to help and support
the brother, the ill-fated friend or the
needy wherever they are. This is our
message to the world, and this is the
United Arab Emirates.”
Source: sheikhmohammed.com

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