Dubai’s Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum declared a 10-day mourning period on Monday, September 21, after the death of his younger brother Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The emirate’s flags drop to half-mast immediately, a stark visual marker of the loss. Sheikh Ahmed, 76, served as Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security, a role that placed him at the center of the emirate’s internal stability.
Sheikh Mohammed, who also holds the titles of UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, posted a tribute on X. “May Allah have mercy on Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. May Allah have mercy on you, my brother,” he wrote. The Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, also joined the condolences, praying for his uncle’s forgiveness. This is not just a family grief; it is a state event. The Al Maktoum family’s unity is the political backbone of the emirate, and their public mourning signals the gravity of the loss.
Sheikh Ahmed was the youngest son of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the founder of modern Dubai. Born in 1950, he graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before joining Dubai’s Central Military Command. He rose to become its Commander-in-Chief, a position that gave him direct oversight of the emirate’s armed forces. Beyond the military, he held senior posts in the security establishment and managed business interests through A.R.M. Holding and the Dubai Real Estate Centre. His career spanned the decades that transformed Dubai from a trading post into a global hub.
The 10-day mourning period ends on October 1, 2025. During this time, official events in Dubai will likely be subdued. The transition of his security portfolios will proceed internally, with no public announcement yet on who will assume his specific duties. The Ruler’s Court confirmed the timeline, ensuring the protocol is clear for government officials and the public.