Royal Photographer Noor Ali passes away

Renowned Royal Photographer Noor Ali Rashid has passed away. He was 80.

Born in Gwadar province of Pakistan in December 1929, he documented the history of the UAE and was named the 'Royal Photographer' by the late Sheikh Zayed.

He was the official photographer of the ruling families of the seven emirates and had documented rare moments of UAE's history including the unification and later developments.

His last work as a photographer was on Saturday when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, welcomed media industry leaders and professionals.

At the Ramadan evening, Rashid presented Sheikh Mohammed a copy of his book "Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid: Memories and Achievements."

Rashid covered the visits of global leaders such as Jimmy Carter, Indira Gandhi, Yasser Arafat, and later Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela.

He was so actively involved in what he always used to call his "passion", that he photographed every possible event in the country.

Select shots from his archives that comprise millions of pictures were later published as books on leaders of the UAE.

In honour of his achievements the Zayed University Noor Ali Rashid Student Documentary Photography Award was launched four years ago.

The National Media Council mourned the demise of Rashid, who is a pioneer among photographers in the country.

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