Happy birthday, Sheikh Mohammed! The Dubai Ruler turns 75 today
We take a look back at the incredible life of our visionary ruler…
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai is celebrating his 75th birthday today, Monday, July 15.
Sheikh Mohammed became the ruler of Dubai in 2006, and his visionary leadership has transformed the emirate into a global hub. And Dubai will continue to evolve under his Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan which maps out a comprehensive future map for sustainable urban development of the city.
To celebrate his birthday, we look back at the incredible life of the Dubai ruler…
Early years
Sheikh Mohammed was born on July 15, 1949, at the Al Maktoum house in Al Shindagha. The third of four sons born to HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mohammed was privately educated from the age of four, beginning his formal studies at the age of six at a local primary school.
In his words: 10 great quotes from Sheikh Mohammed
Education
Fast forward 11 years, and in 1966 Sheikh Mohammed went to study at an English language in Cambridge. From there, he would go on to attend Mons Officer Cadet School-Aldershot (currently the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst), as his studies took a military turn. Here he became the top Commonwealth student.
He returned to Dubai in 1968, and at the tender age of 19 received his first public position as head of the Dubai Police and Public Security. Three years later he was appointed Minister of Defence and became the world’s youngest defence minister.
Ruling Dubai
Sheikh Mohammed became Ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006, and on January 5, 2006, was appointed as Vice President of the UAE.
On February 11, 2006, the late UAE President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan nominated Sheikh Mohammad as Prime Minister of the UAE.
Spotted: Sheikh Mohammed visits these restaurants in Dubai
As well as being a visionary leader, Sheikh Mohammed is a prominent poet, accomplished athlete, keen horseman and humanitarian.
Happy birthday, Sheikh Mohammed!
Images: Dubai Media Office
