This year marks 50 years of public service for the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum as he began his journey when he became the head of Dubai police in 1968.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Saturday penned a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ letter for the administrative, governmental, and developmental insights Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid provided in the nation’s march to progress.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said: “Since assuming his first mission as the Head of Dubai Police, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid now completes 50 years in service to the Homeland, a march awash with resounding achievements, during which he accompanied the late Shaikh Zayed and late Shaikh Rashid in their life until he has become a role model for leadership and management.”
Fifty years of pride
This came in a statement titled “Fifty Years of Pride” that Abu Dhabi Crown Prince posted on his twitter account and addressed to Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of starting his first mission in serving his homeland and people.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said: “Dear Emiratis, nations and peoples speak high and pay tribute to their leaders and role models who make their achievements and civilisations. We, in the UAE, have the right to be proud of an exceptional leader who is loved and respected by his own people as well as those of the outside world. He is my brother, mentor and companion, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
“Fifty years, ‘Bu Rashid’, during which you have made the sky the limit of our ambitions, invested in human beings, and established the pillars of a renaissance that earned your people a track record of achievements.
His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, has said that Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid, over 50 years of hard work and resounding successes, has translated his thoughtful ideas and strategies into actions in support of his homeland and people.
Bright present, better future
Shaikh Hamad said Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid’s strategies and initiatives have “proved to be a solid basis upon which we have established our ambitious transformational development drive. He sets an example for enlightenment-based thinking that is conducive to ensuring a bright present and better future for the country and our people.”
“Thank You Mohammed Bin Rashid for honestly pursuing the path of Zayed and his brothers, the Founders of the Union. You have turned the strategies of Zayed into a well-integrated methodology that turned the UAE into an oasis of security, prosperity and stability!” Shaikh Hamad said.
“Thank You, Mohammad Bin Rashid, for championing that supreme goal to ensure the UAE will become among the world’s bests by 2071! Thank You, Mohammad Bin Rashid, for your inspiring tale of leadership that’s helped the nation secure great strides across all walks of life!”
Meanwhile. the Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum dedicated his latest poem to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and UAE Armed Forces Deputy Supreme Commander Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. He posted his poem “Allah bless him”, on his Instagram account and attached a picture showing both of them.
Milestones
November 1, 1968
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum appointed the head of Dubai Police and Public Security
Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum with Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Image Credit: WAM
December 2, 1971
Takes charge as minister of defence in the first UAE Cabinet after the establishment of UAE
The first UAE Cabinet meeting being attended by Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Image Credit: WAM
August 25, 1977
Oversees Dubai International Airport, developing Dubai as an international aviation hub and touristic attraction
January 4, 1995
Appointed Crown Prince of Dubai
February 16, 1996
Launches Dubai Shopping Festival
March 27, 1996
Announces inaugural Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race
October 28, 2000
Declares open Dubai Internet City
January 20, 2001
Inaugurates Dubai Media City
October 29, 2001
Launches Dubai’s e-government initiative
February 16, 2002
Announces the establishment of Dubai International Financial Centre
January 4, 2006
Appointed Ruler of Dubai
January 5, 2006
Becomes Vice-President, as elected by the UAE Supreme Council. Proposal to appoint him as Prime Minister is also approved.
February 19, 2006
Launches Dubai Aerospace Enterprise
March 14, 2006
Issues Law No. 7 that legalises freehold ownership of land and property
April 20, 2006
Is conferred the King Abdul Aziz Medal, the highest accolade to be bestowed on head of states by Saudi Arabia
September 19, 2007
Launches Dubai Cares
February 1, 2008
Appoints Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum as Crown Prince of Dubai and Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum as Deputy Ruler of Dubai
September 9, 2009
Launches Dubai Metro
January 3, 2010
Inaugurates Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 828 metres.
March 11, 2012
Launches Minister’s e-briefcase and e-knowledge Centre for Cabinet members
October 27, 2013
Inaugurates Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central
November 16, 2014
Announces plan to send space probe to Mars in 2021
September 16, 2015
Launches the Arab Reading Challenge
November 24, 2015
Launches the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Fund to finance innovation
February 7, 2016
Opens Museum of the Future
April 27, 2016
Launches the world’s first integrated and comprehensive strategy to explore 3D printing — a technique first used to create architecture models
October 10, 2016
Launches The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour at a ground-breaking ceremony
November 8, 2016
Inaugurates the Dubai Water Canal