Sheikh Mohammed turns 76: 5 times Dubai Ruler went viral, won residents' hearts
As the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, he has built a lasting legacy rooted in Emirati hospitality, all while remaining deeply attentive and appreciative of those around him. Time and again, he has shown that he is not only devoted to the well-being of citizens and residents, but also a grounded and approachable leader who cherishes time with his family.
Today, as he turns 76, Khaleej Times looks back at just a few of the many moments where the Dubai Ruler touched hearts — mere drops in the vast ocean of his generosity.
1. When he went around town right before his birthday
When you think of a royal celebrating their birthday, what stereotypes would come to your mind? Perhaps, a lavish gathering or jetting across the world to bring in the big day.
Sheikh Mohammed, however, took many residents by surprise two years ago as he went around town — using the Metro and dining at well-loved restaurants — just ahead of his big day. Take a look at his journey in the Dubai Metro, below:
صاØب اÙ�سÙ�Ù� اÙ�Ø´Ù�Ø® Ù�ØÙ�د بÙ� راشد اÙ� Ù�Ù�Ø°Ù�Ù�Ø� Ù�ائب رئÙ�س اÙ�دÙ�Ù�Ø© رئÙ�س Ù�جÙ�س اÙ�Ù�زراء ØاÙ�Ù� دبÙ� (رعاÙ� اÙ�Ù�Ù�)Ø� Ø®Ù�اÙ� ذجÙ�Ù�Ù� Ù�Ù� دبÙ� Ù�سذخدÙ�اÙ� Ù�ذرÙ� دبÙ�.
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, tours #Dubai using #DubaiMetro. pic.twitter.com/xjuJT6OAM7
— RTA (@rta_dubai) July 14, 2023
2. When he gifted an Iraqi girl a herd of horses
Sheikh Mohammed's love for horses is no surprise to anyone. His generosity, combined with his love for the animal, have often made headlines. A viral video tugged at the heartstrings of the Dubai Ruler, in which he saw a young 8-year-old girl crying uncontrollably over the demise of her favourite horse.
The girl said that her only horse had recently fallen ill and that she tried to care for it, even though the doctor had advised her to stay away.
The UAE royal then gifted her a herd of horses and ordered that a training centre be built for her.
3. Meeting Kuwaiti child who loves Dubai
In 2023, Sheikh Mohammed won the hearts of a child and those around him by meeting a Kuwaiti boy who had gone viral for expressing his love for Dubai.
Badr, the young boy, earlier gave an interview to a Kuwaiti news outlet, in which he said that he wanted to visit Dubai to see the Burj Khalifa. At the time, he was actually on his way to the emirate for the Eid holidays, excited even though it would not be his first time seeing the tallest building in the world.
Take a look at the photograph below:
4. When he appreciated hard-working employees
In a moment of warm appreciation, the Dubai Ruler took to his social media platform to praise an immigration officer.
Abdullah Al Baloushi stopped a traveller in a wheelchair and asked her son kindly why she was leaving the country. When told she was leaving due to doctors' appointments, Al Baloushi apologised to the son: "Sorry, forgive me, I stopped her because I saw you bidding her farewell and wanted to let you say your goodbyes again. We wanted to ask her to pray for us and to forgive us for any shortcomings. We shall wait for her to return as soon as possible'.
The Dubai Ruler retweeted a video of a Radio Jockey talking about the incident and said, 'A salute to whoever brings a smile or joy to a traveller's heart. This is the Dubai we want."
In March, he hailed one customer service employee who works at a vehicle inspection and registration centre in Dubai's Al Qusais. The Ruler shared pictures of the "diligent young man" who was "committed to completing transactions efficiently".
He noted that customers at the centre expressed their gratitude for his "cheerful" nature and his attitude towards them.
5. Charitable concert
Imagine being in the '80s and watching Queen, U2, David Bowie, and Elton John performing simultaneously at London's Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia's John F. Kennedy Stadium.
In 1985, Sheikh Mohammed provided the largest single donation to the concert — which was being held to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief.
Nearly 2 billion people tuned in to watch the live stream, making it an incredibly historic event of the time.
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