He’s a seriously inspiring guy.
As 2017 wraps up, we thought it made sense to look back on the year that HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has had. The ruler of Dubai and vice president of the UAE is never far from our minds, but even then, it’s pretty amazing to look back on everything he’s done in 12 short months.
From championing women in all spheres of life, to rescuing cyclists stuck in the desert, Sheikh Mohammed has kept himself very busy this year.
Join us for a look back.
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When he went looking for astronauts
You could never accuse Sheikh Mohammed of not looking to the future. At the start of December, he put the call out for young people who were keen to be the first Emiratis in space.
“The people of the UAE will break new barriers; nothing can stand in the way of those who believe nothing is impossible,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Instagram. “Our ambitious goals are fuelled by dedicated people, who support us until, without hesitation or scepticism, we succeed.”
Sounds good to us.
When he chilled with the family
How sweet is this? Sheikh Mohammed is a very hands-on dad, according to HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.
“Sheikh Mohammed is great. He believes that the kids need to get dirty every day to have fun! It’s also really good for their immunity,” she told Emirates Woman in 2016.
We love that attitude, and this pic from November. That same month, Sheikh Mohammed celebrated Flag Day with his youngest daughter, Al Jalila. Bless.
When this amazing throwback emerged
This one took place in 1989, but we only found out about it this year, so we think it counts. In September, footage emerged of Sheikh Mohammed and the late Princess Diana chatting at a couple of official events. It makes for poignant viewing, in light of the princess’s untimely death in 1997. We can’t help feeling there might have been a lasting friendship between these two legends if things had been different.
When he saved an English village hall
Taking his Year of Giving spirit worldwide, in June Sheikh Mohammed stepped in to save the Godolphin Chapel in Cornwall. There was a local connection – the village was home to the Earl of Godolphin, who bred the legendary Godolphin Arabian racing horse. All of Sheikh Mohammed’s own racehorses are descended from this line. In any case, Sheikh Mohammed stepped in with the money needed to save the building. Good stuff.
When he welcomed a new grandson
A new baby is cause for celebration in any family, and the royal family of Dubai is no exception. In March, Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum gave birth to a little boy called Rashid bin Mansoor, making Sheikh Mohammed a grandfather again. It’s safe to say work pretty much ground to a halt around here while we cooed over the above photo. Adorable.
When he popped in these kids at school
Well, this would be one day to be on your absolute best behaviour. On the first day of school for the 2017-18 school year, Sheikh Mohammed visited several elementary schools to wish them a successful year. We’re open to visits at the Emirates Woman office too, just in case there’s one on offer.
When he made Queen Elizabeth II laugh
Back in May, Sheikh Mohammed met up with England’s Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Windsor Endurance Race, and from the looks of things, they had a ball. At the time, the Dubai Media Office said the pair of royals discussed “historic ties, friendship, and co-operation between the UAE and the United Kingdom.” We’d say they found time for some levity too.
When he saved some stranded cyclists
This has got to be a record for turning a no-good, very-bad day into a story you tell for the rest of your life. In July, three cyclists were stuck in Al Qudra due to a dodgy bike chain, before Sheikh Mohammed and his entourage spotted them and saved the day. The troublesome bike fixed, the three women got back on the road, armed with a truly great Dubai story. Amazing.
When he shared his life lessons
Now this is one we paid close attention to. In August, Sheikh Mohammed shared his top lessons in life to his LinkedIn page. His thoughts on the constant nature of change, on how the world waits for no one, and on the importance of competition, are ones we return to often.
When he spoke on the importance of gender balance
Back in August, Sheikh Mohammed took the opportunity of Emirati Women’s Day to speak on gender balance in the UAE.
“I personally could not manage my daily work without women, since 85 per cent of my personal team are Emirati women,” he said on the day. “I have said it loud and clear: Beware, men, lest women deprive you of all the leadership positions in the country.”
Wise words.
When he demonstrated – and recognised – the importance of charity
Earlier in December, we reported that Sheikh Mohammed has now sent 13 plane-loads of supplies to Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh. He and Princess Haya (as well as Queen Rania of Jordan) have advocated strongly for the need to help the Rohingya people, and he’s leading by example.
The other side of that same coin? At the end of November, Sheikh Mohammed gave out 46 awards to UAE philanthropists. Among them was Fatima Ali Ibrahim. The 82-year-old Sharjah woman distributes iftar meals to workers in her area every ramadan, and has done for decades.
Just the sort of person Sheikh Mohammed would recognise.
Images: Dubai Media Office, Instagram
