Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum was born in 1912 in Dubai and received a religious education focused on Islamic studies, Arabic, and arithmetic. He closely observed his father Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum's democratic leadership style and involved himself in Dubai's politics from a young age. As ruler from 1958 to 1990, Sheikh Rashid transformed Dubai from a small trading town into a modern cosmopolitan city through ambitious infrastructure projects like Port Rashid, Jebel Ali Port, and Dubai International Airport. He was also a driving force behind the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 and served as the UAE's first prime minister. Sheikh

1. Leadership
June 18, 2013
Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Almaktoum
Mohammed Yaqoob Ali Alkhaja

2. Sheikh Rashid bin saeed al maktoum was born in 1912, and nurtured by sheikh saeed bin
maktoum al maktoum, who was known for piety, righteousness, excellent manners and a great
love for the people. Rashid lived in an atmosphere of mutual appreciation and respect between a
ruler and nationals and in a unique democratic environment that allows a citizen to enjoy
freedom of thought and expression before the ruler to express his concerns and worries always
fearlessly. Sheikh Rashid closely watched the policy of his father, Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum,
and benefited from his pure democratic views that have an original Arab Islamic Bedouin origin.
Undoubtedly, Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum and Sheikha Hissa Bin Al Murr had the
greatest effect on Rashid’s life. They provided him with parental care.
Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum first went to elementary schools at the time. In
those schools, he studied Fiqh and Arabic taught at schools at that time. As a child he received
the finest education available in the region. He received his primary education in Al Ahmediyah
Public School, which was established at the beginning of this century in City of Deira, where
H.H Sheikh Rashid was among the pioneer students in the class. In Alahmdaiya School, sheikh
Rashid studies included Islamic studies, Arabic, and arithmetic. Although he was a good
student, the true focus of his enthusiasm was reserved for falconry and hunting. "From an early
age, he was an excellent shot with the rifle and, while his mother took a leading role in his
upbringing, falconry was a passion which brought together Sheikh Saeed and Sheikh Rashid,
father and son, throughout their lives. He used to go on hunting expeditions, which were taken
twice a year, led the Ruler and his hunting entourage to Iran and Pakistan.

3. As the first-born son of Sheikh Saeed, he involved himself at an early age in the politics
of the emirate. At the age of 12, he frequently attended his father's Majlis, where he was
schooled in the art of leadership and became acquainted with the sheikhs and the many problems
Dubai was facing. He would listen intently to each man's dilemma or opinion. Eager to
comprehend the details of governing a state, he would spend long hours questioning his parents
about the events of the day. In mid-twenties sheikh Rashid drive and personality began to attract
a creative group of young and old residents of Dubai. In 1929, sheikh Rashid witnessed the
region’s Great depression with the emergence of Japanese cultured pearls gulf-economies
crashed, Pearling boats were lying idle, and merchants went bankrupt and unemployment was
widespread, at the time sheikh Rashid made his first move to make Dubai one of the most
prosperous cities in the world.
Sheikh Rashid, ruled Dubai from 1958 to1990, was the eighth ruler from the Al
Maktoum family. Well-loved and greatly respected by the residents of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid
ruled the emirate with compassion and with a clear vision of what was required in order to
transform Dubai into a modern city. Driven by this vision, Sheikh Rashid accomplished what
many believed to be impossible. His wise and far-sighted policy was evident for all those who
observed the experience of Dubai during his era. Such a policy was the main driver of the
development process in Dubai.
Sheikh Rashid's hands-on approach called for a disciplined daily schedule. Twice
daily he would tour Dubai to see for himself how projects were progressing. Sheikh Rashid was
never satisfied with a simple explanation; instead he wanted to have a detailed understanding of
every project undertaken in Dubai. Furthermore, these inspections provided him with the
opportunity to meet with the man on the street. "After returning home in the evening, it was time

4. to take on more official business in the traditional evening Majlis, an occasion where the Ruler
gives his people the opportunity to meet him and share problems or grievances; this duty as one
which Sheikh Rashid took very seriously. Sheikh Rashid was famed and 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, a mix of nationals, also provided a
vibrant forum for debate. Surrounded by men whose opinions he valued, projects were dissected,
molded together, and often implemented by members of the Majlis. Determined in his
unfaltering belief that a modernized Dubai could be achieved, Sheikh Rashid initiated numerous
remarkable developments in his city-state.
During Sheikh Rashid’s rule, Dubai grew tremendously from a small trading town into a
major cosmopolitan city and a commercial hub; he built new schools, houses, roads. Projects
viewed as impossible by many members of society, were seen as challenges by the Ruler.
projects including the Al Maktoum Hospital, the first modern; the Al Maktoum Bridge, which
bridged the Creek, joining Dubai with Deira and eliminating the long trip around the head of the
Creek; and Dubai Airport, which bore immediate reward as demand for air travel grew much
faster than anticipated. Both these projects, the airport and the bridge, showed clearly that Dubai
infrastructure planning was hardly ever just a response to the immediate needs of the community:
it was clearly linked to the ambitious ideas about the future development of Dubai. Other
achievement of sheikh Rashid include Port Rashid launched in 1972, Al Shindagha Tunnel
opened in 1975, Jebel Ali Port in 1979, Dubai World Trade Center, built in 1978, Dubai Creek
second major excavations and widening, early 1970s, Dubai Dry-docks, inaugurated in 1983.

5. The establishment of the United Arab Emirates is one of the greatest historic
achievements of both H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and H.H. Sheikh Rashid Bin
Saeed Al Maktoum. When the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan called for the formation
of the federation, Sheikh Rashid was the first to join on December 2nd 1971 He was keen to
provide all the support to Sheikh Zayed, the founder of the union and his brothers, the rulers of
the emirates. He was truly described as the co-founder of the United Arab Emirates. In 1979,
Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum was asked to form a new government which he headed, as
prime minster. His government came to put aggressive development plans that pushed further the
modernization of the country and raised the standards of living for nationals and residents
On October 7, 1990, Sheikh Rashid passed away. He left behind a legacy visible in the
town planning of Dubai. News of his death travelled far and wide. Heads of States throughout
the world sent their condolences. His famous line, “My grandfather rode a camel, my father
rode a camel, I drive a Mercedes, my son drives a Land Rover, his son will drive a Land Rover,
but his son will ride a camel.” Reflects his concern that Dubai’s oil will run out in a decade or
two. Thus he worked to build up an economy in Dubai that could survive the end of Dubai’s oil
boom.

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