Ahmed bin Rashid: A life of service across security, sport and the economy

Dubai, Fujairah: Officials have paid tribute to the late Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, saying the UAE has lost one of its prominent figures whose life was defined by decades of service, dedication and contributions to the country and community.

They highlighted his contributions across several fields, including security, the economy and sport, and the lasting mark he left on the development of Dubai and the UAE.

Officials also praised Sheikh Ahmed’s national and humanitarian legacy and the values of loyalty, belonging and responsibility that he embodied throughout his life.

They extended their condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the Al Maktoum family.

His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library Foundation, said Sheikh Ahmed’s passing represented the loss of one of Dubai’s prominent figures whose life was associated with decades of dedicated service to the emirate and its community.

He said Sheikh Ahmed’s contributions extended to sport, youth, equestrianism and marine sports. He also helped establish and support sporting institutions closely linked to Dubai’s history and development.

Al Murr said Sheikh Ahmed played a prominent role in supporting the sporting movement and encouraging generations of young people and athletes, leaving behind a legacy of achievement and service that would remain in people’s memories.

He extended his condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Al Maktoum family.

His Excellency Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi, former Minister of Environment and Water, extended his condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Al Maktoum family, recalling Sheikh Ahmed’s life of service to the country.

He said Sheikh Ahmed was known for his sense of responsibility and contributions across a number of fields closely connected to Dubai’s development and progress.

Dr Lowai Mohammed Belhoul, Director General of the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department, said Dubai and the UAE had lost one of their loyal sons who had dedicated his life to his country.

“He left an enduring mark through his service to his country and community and made significant contributions to its development in the security and economic fields through a life of dedicated service,” Belhoul said.

“His achievements, wisdom, loyalty and humanitarian values will remain an enduring symbol in the hearts of the nation’s people and an example for generations to come.”

Abdulrahman Al Hareb, Director General of the Financial Audit Authority, said Dubai and the UAE had lost a prominent national figure whose name was closely associated with service to the country and community.

He said Sheikh Ahmed had left a lasting presence through decades of work and achievement, and that his life embodied the values of loyalty, belonging and giving upon which Dubai’s development was built.

Through his presence and contributions across different fields, Sheikh Ahmed helped establish a national legacy that would remain in people’s memories and serve as testament to a life of service and responsibility, Al Hareb added.

Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, said the UAE had lost a national figure who dedicated decades of his life to serving the country and community.

His contributions spanned national, military and security service, as well as sport, equestrianism and charitable work.

“We recall with great appreciation his contributions to strengthening Dubai’s security and stability and the distinguished services he rendered to the country,” bin Huwaireb said.

“His legacy and his life of service will remain in the nation’s memory, from which we draw the values of dedication, belonging and giving.”

Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), said the UAE had lost a prominent national figure whose life was closely associated with giving and service to the country and its people.

“Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was close to the people, always among the first to do good, and believed that the value of what we accomplish in our lives lies in the impact that remains in the lives of others,” Badri said.

“We bid him farewell with hearts filled with sorrow, remembering a life rich in national contributions and a legacy of values and noble deeds that will remain alive in the conscience of the nation and its people.”

Mohammed Al Dhanhani, Director of the Fujairah Amiri Diwan, expressed his condolences over Sheikh Ahmed’s passing, saying the UAE had lost a prominent national figure who contributed with dedication and sincerity to serving the country and supporting its development and prosperity across various fields.

He said Sheikh Ahmed was an example of loyalty and belonging and was known for his distinguished character, noble values and national service.

Al Dhanhani said Sheikh Ahmed left a legacy of noble values and sustained giving and was an example of hard work and service to the community.

He extended his condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Al Maktoum family and the people of the UAE.

Naima Ahli, CEO of the Dubai Women Establishment, also mourned Sheikh Ahmed and extended her condolences to the UAE leadership and the Al Maktoum family.

She said Sheikh Ahmed was a generous man who dedicated his life to serving his community and country, adding that his life and legacy would remain in the memories of all those who knew him.

Ali Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the Endowments and Minors’ Trust Foundation in Dubai (Awqaf Dubai), extended his condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Al Maktoum family.

“His life bore witness to his dedication to serving his country, his commitment to giving and doing good, and the love and respect he earned from people,” Al Mutawa said.

“He left a lasting positive impact in people’s hearts that will remain testament to his generosity and contributions.”

Major General Mohammed Ahmed bin Ghanem Al Kaabi, Commander-in-Chief of Fujairah Police, extended his condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Al Maktoum family.

He said the UAE had lost one of its prominent figures whose life was closely associated with serving the country and strengthening its security and stability.

Sheikh Ahmed contributed to supporting the security and military establishment and held important national responsibilities that played a role in the UAE’s development and progress, Al Kaabi said.

He added that Sheikh Ahmed had left a clear mark across numerous fields and was an example of dedication and commitment to responsibility.

His name was also closely associated with supporting sport in the UAE and strengthening several sporting institutions that became part of the country’s record of achievement, alongside his contributions to economic and development fields.

Al Kaabi said Sheikh Ahmed would be remembered for his dedicated efforts, sustained contributions and the noble national and humanitarian values he embodied.

Engineer Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, Director General of Fujairah Municipality, extended his condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Al Maktoum family.

He said the UAE had lost one of its prominent figures whose name was associated with service and dedication to the country.

Sheikh Ahmed contributed across several national, security, economic and sporting fields, leaving a clear mark through decades of dedicated work and efforts that supported the UAE’s development.

Al Afkham said Sheikh Ahmed was an example of responsibility and dedication, contributing to the support and strengthening of national institutions as well as initiatives that served the community.

He added that Sheikh Ahmed’s achievements would remain in the hearts and minds of the UAE’s people and that his life would continue to command the appreciation and respect of future generations.

Sheikha Saeed Al Mansouri, Acting Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, mourned Sheikh Ahmed, saying he had passed away after a life of service to the country, leaving behind an honourable national legacy firmly rooted in the memory of Dubai and the UAE.

She said Dubai had lost a prominent national figure who dedicated his life to serving the country and contributed over decades to national, security, sporting and economic fields.

She extended her condolences to the Al Maktoum family and the people of the UAE.

Marwan Rashid bin Hashim, CEO of the Dubai Community Contributions Establishment – Jood, said Sheikh Ahmed’s passing represented a painful loss for Dubai and its people.

“With hearts accepting of God’s will and decree, we mourn a dear figure whose memory will remain in the conscience of Dubai through the values of loyalty, belonging and service to the country that he embodied, and through the positive impact he left on its journey and its people,” bin Hashim said.

“As we remember his achievements, we recall the journey of a man who loved Dubai, was devoted to it, contributed to building its community and helped reinforce the values of giving and social solidarity.”

Ferjan Dubai also mourned Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and extended its condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Al Maktoum family.

The organisation recalled Sheikh Ahmed’s record of service to Dubai and his contributions to the emirate’s economic and urban development through his roles in the business sector, including his chairmanship of ARM Holding and Dubai Real Estate Centre, and their role in supporting business growth and investment in Dubai.

In sport, Sheikh Ahmed’s name was closely associated with the history of Dubai’s sporting movement, particularly Al Wasl Club, which was established in 1960.

He served as its chairman from its early years, formed the club’s first board of directors and continued to support its development over several decades as it grew to become one of the UAE’s prominent sports clubs.

Ferjan Dubai said Sheikh Ahmed’s passing represented the loss of an Emirati figure who had made significant contributions across several fields and played a role in Dubai’s development and progress.