Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum

Various sources disagree on the actual date of the birth of the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, May his soul rest in peace, but it is likely that he was born in 1912. He grew up in Al Shandagha neighborhood and raised by his father Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, who is known for his piety, wisdom, patience and forethought. Sheikh Rashid closely watched the wise policies of his father, Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum by attending his Majlis, where he benefited from his father’s pure democratic views that comes from the original Islamic principles of “Shura” and the Bedouin traditions. His mother Sheikha Hessa Bint Al Mur Bin Hureiz Al Falasi; who was popularly known as Um Dubai “Mother of Dubai” played a vital role in influencing Sheikh Rashid’s personality. Sheikha Hessa had a clear impact on her son and in preparing him to rule Dubai.
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Sheikh Rashid received his first education at katateeb (a traditional school that teaches Arabic and Islamic jurisprudence principles), as the area then lacked formal schools. At the beginning of the formal education in Dubai and the opening of Al Ahmadiya School, Sheikh Rashid was one of the first students to be enrolled. From a young age, he was mature and his thinking was ahead of his time. He was known as a diligent young man who had an inquisitive mind. Falconry, horseback and camel riding and shooting were some of his most cherished hobbies.

Sheikh Rashid had regularly attended his father’s Majlis (court) from which he immensely benefitted as he learnt how to run the affairs of the state; he kept abreast of all the proceedings and activities of the Majlis, which helped him to learn how to run the government and how to carry the responsibility after his father. In 1939, Sheikh Rashid was appointed Crown Prince of Dubai. He helped his father run the state, and demonstrated his ability to assume responsibility. He was able to save Dubai from several economic crises, notably the decline of pearl trade and the maritime blockade, which Britain imposed on the Arab Gulf ports after World War II. In 1958, he assumed the reins of government in Dubai, which he ruled for 32 years during which the Emirate witnessed rapid growth in all fields.

After World War II, Dubai resumed oil excavation operations. Sheikh Rashid, negotiating on behalf of his father, managed to raise the share split between the government and oil exploration companies from 20%, as it used to be up to 50%. After failed attempts to discover oil onshore, oil was discovered offshore in what was to be named the ‘Fateh’ offshore oil field in 1966. Sheikh Rashid used the revenues generated from the oil industry to invest in the infrastructure of the emirate. Schools, hospitals and roads were of high importance followed by setting up modern communications and transportation networks. During the reign of Sheikh Rashid, the Dubai International Airport was built to handle all sorts of different aircrafts. Plans were also set to build the largest man-made port in the world at Jebel Ali.
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Since Sheikh Rashid assumed power in Dubai, he made sure to establish it as a commercial hub, especially that oil revenues then were hardly sufficient to meet the Emirate’s obligations. Hence, he looked after the markets, supported businessmen, encouraged commercial investment, and devised a long-term plan and a futuristic vision for Dubai. Sheikh Rashid was interested in establishing government departments that provide services to the people and contribute to the development of the Emirate, such as the municipality, the land Department, the police, the Customs, the Electricity, and the Water, beside other departments.

Sheikh Rashid was a politician and had good brotherly relations with all the Rulers of the Arabian Gulf. He was also a distinctive economist who laid the cornerstone for modern Dubai and paid attention to construction and commerce. He harnessed all resources for his country’s benefit, as the commercial production of Dubai oil began in 1966.  For this purpose, Sheikh Rashid established the Department for Oil Affairs, as well as Judicial, and Aviation Departments.

Dubai was undergoing a real transformation. Sheikh Rashid broadened and deepened the creek, as its shallow water posed a threat to navigation and made it hard for large vessels to enter it. The deepening project was accomplished, and Dubai Creek became one of the best commercial and economic harbors in the region. In 1962, Al Maktoum Bridge, which spanned the Creek, was constructed joining Dubai with Deira and eliminating the long trip around the head of the Creek.

Driven by his futuristic vision, Sheikh Rashid accomplished what many believed to be impossible. Projects viewed as impossible by many members of society, including foreigners, were seen as challenges by Sheikh Rashid.

In October 1972, Port Rashid was inaugurated. It was a huge harbor that underpinned the economy of the Emirate of Dubai in particular and the UAE in general. Sheikh Rashid encouraged businesses and businessmen. He aspired to increase his state resources and encouraged international shipping lines to come to Dubai. Thus, it became a commercial centre between East and West.

Sheikh Rashid also saw an industrial port as essential part of that concept and a key to Dubai’s development and industrialisation. He personally chose Jebel Ali as the location for his new supersized port and even conceived an outline concept before involving his advisers in planning, financing and constructing what was to become one of the world’s major ports.

Sheikh Rashid’s hands-on approach called for a disciplined daily schedule. He would tour Dubai twice daily to see for himself how the projects were progressing. Sheikh Rashid was never satisfied with simple explanations or short answers; instead, he wanted to have a detailed understanding of every project undertaken in Dubai.

A stamp issued in Dubai in November 1964 to mark the international outer space achievements brought into focus the foresight of the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Father of Dubai.

Sheikh Rashid wanted to commemorate the American astronauts' first trip to outer space, by issuing a stamp under the theme 'Honouring Astronauts', which made headlines later when HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, mentioned it on Twitter on the occasion of the UAE Space Agency's second anniversary, to show that Sheikh Rashid’s ambitions and his futuristic foresight about Dubai became a reality, and to emphasise that Sheikh Rashid’s thoughts were ahead of his time.

In 1924 Sheikh Rashid reached the age of 12, where his strong personality became obvious to others, who also touched his strong charisma and dignity, further to his humbleness which forced others to respect and appreciate him, especially to appreciate his seriousness, honesty, knowledge and political superiority.

When Sheikh Rashid assumed power in Dubai, he used to return home in the evening after his tour around the city, to take on more official business and to attend his traditional evening Majlis, where the Ruler gives his people the opportunity to meet him and share their problems or grievances with him. Sheikh Rashid took this duty very seriously. He was admired for his patience on these occasions; he thoughtfully considered each man’s complaint or opinion, ensuring that proper assistance was given to each individual.

The Majlis also provided a vibrant stage for discussion. Surrounded by men whose opinions he valued, projects were dissected, moulded, and often implemented by members of the Majlis. Determined in his unfaltering belief that a modernised Dubai could be achieved, Sheikh Rashid initiated numerous remarkable developments in his city-state.

After the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the Ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966, he had a vision of creating a union to catalyse development just as the other developing nations. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who was Dubai’s Ruler since 1958, had a similar vision. A shared vision between the two leaders translated into a federal union between Dubai and Abu Dhabi after the historical meeting in Seih Al Sedira, located on the border area between both emirates, and announcing the signing of the Federation Agreement on 18th February 1968.

The Dubai-Abu Dhabi Federal Union opened new doors for the establishment of a wider union driven by the shared vision of both Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid. Ultimately, and after hard work of communications and negotiations, on 18th July 1971, six of the Trucial States (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah) decided to form a state under one banner. On 2nd December 1971, the establishment of the United Arab Emirates was announced. Ras Al Khaimah joined the union on 2nd December 1972 when the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan raised the UAE flag for the first time.

Opening of Port Rashid in 1972
Opening of Al Shindagha Tunnel in 1975
Opening of Jebel Ali Port in 1979
Inauguration of Dubai World Trade Center in 1978
Dubai Creek second major excavations and widening in early 1970s
Inauguration of Dubai Dry-docks in 1983

In his book “My Story… 50 Memories from Fifty Years Of Service”, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, wrote about the death of his father, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum stating: “At 10 am on Sunday, October 7, 1990, Sheikh Rashid's soul returned to its maker and he left this world gently and peacefully. Hearts mourned his death, tears were shed. Many did not believe that Rashid, who had been a father to them for over three decades, was dead. The death of a father is perhaps the most difficult death to accept.”

“In New York, the United Nations General Assembly stood in silence for a minute in mourning of Sheikh Rashid, and the news of his death was widely broadcast, along with all of his achievements- principally in creating the economic and development miracle that is Dubai.”

“When I saw the tears in the eyes of the humble labourers, I realised that Sheikh Rashid had touched the hearts of everyone, and that his morning walks and tours were not limited to visiting projects, but were also to visit the public. His mark is found on every stone, in every corner of Dubai, whose construction he personally supervised, so that his legacy shall remain forever alive in the memory of his nation and his people.”

In mourning for Sheikh Rashid, Sheikh Zayed said: “He was one of this country’s benevolent men... one of its brave knights, and one of the pioneers of its unity and builders of its civilisation. His demise does not mean that he has left our memory or our lives. He will always stay in our hearts and remain in the forefront of those who made history in this country.”