Dubai Deputy Ruler Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Passes Away At 75

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid al Makoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE minister of finance passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 75.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and ruler of Dubai, took to Twitter to announce the news and mourn the passing of his brother, saying: “We belong to God and to Him we shall return … May God have mercy on you, my brother, my support and my companion.”

According to Dubai Media Office, an official mourning period of 10 days starts today with flags at half-mast.  Meanwhile, all work in government departments across Dubai will be suspended for three days.

Sheikh Hamdan, born on the 25th of December, was an exceptional man for Dubai and the UAE. He played an indispensable role in developing the country’s finance, since he was the first to hold the title of minister of Finance when the cabinet was first formed in 1971. 

He was the president of several governmental institutions including Dubai municipality and Dubai World Trade Center.

All this and not to forget his passion for horse riding.

Arab Fashion Week Postponed

The Arab Fashion Council announced that it will “respectfully postpone Arab Fashion Week, which was due to commence today, by three days”

The AFW Fall/ Winter 2021/22 shows presented virtually by Microsoft and streamed by Facebook Inc will run from 28 – 1 April 2021, and declared in an official statement: “On behalf of the Arab Fashion Council, our esteemed partners and community of designers, we wish to convey our sincere condolence to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, and to the people of the United Arab Emirates”.