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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum turns 73 today
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai celebrates his 73rd birthday on Friday, July 15.
Sheikh Mohammed was born 15 July 1949. He is the third son of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, former vice president of the UAE and ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed succeeded his brother Maktoum as vice president and ruler following the latter's death in 2006.
His mother was Sheikha Latifa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, daughter of former ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.
Sheikh Mohammed was close to his grandfather Sheikh Saeed bin Hasher Al Maktoum and was often seen sitting beside him.
From age four, Sheikh Mohammed was privately tutored in Arabic and Islamic Studies. In 1955, he began his formal education at Al Ahmadiya School, a small primary school in Deira.
From October 1958, Sheikh Rashid began severe preparations for his sons' future in government.
In August 1966, Sheikh Mohammed flew to the UK to enrol in the Bell School of Languages in Cambridge.
Afterwards, Sheikh Mohammed attended Mons Officer Cadet School - Aldershot, which is now part of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
In 1968, Sheikh Mohammed became the world's youngest defence minister and was appointed the Dubai Police and Public Security force head.
On December 2, 1971, months after Sheikh Mohammed turned 21, an interim constitution was signed that regulated the establishment of the UAE.
In January 1995, Sheikh Maktoum, the then Ruler of Dubai, signed a decree appointing Sheikh Mohammed as Crown Prince of Dubai.
This appointment had dramatic effects, as Sheikh Mohammed launched many initiatives and projects to prosper the future of Dubai.
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On January 4, 2006, Sheikh Mohammed became the Ruler of Dubai following the death of his elder brother Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the then Ruler of Dubai.
On January 5, the members of the UAE Supreme Council elected Sheikh Mohammed as the Vice-President of the UAE.
On February 11, 2006, the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former president, nominated Sheikh Mohammed to become the Prime Minister of the UAE; the Council approved this nomination.
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