Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum passes away; 10-day mourning in Dubai

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has passed away on Monday, with the Court of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, declaring a 10-day mourning in the Emirate.

In a post on social media platform X, the Dubai Media Office mourned the death of Sheikh Ahmed.

Flags will be flown at half-mast, effective Monday.

Sheikh Mohammed took to X to pay a tribute to his brother. 

"You are absent from our eyes but not from our prayers and hearts," he wrote.

رحم الله الشيخ أحمد بن راشد آل مكتوم..

رحمك الله يا أخي … حللت عند رب كريم عظيم .. تغيب عن أعيننا ولا تغيب عن دعائنا وقلوبنا يا أحمد.

أسكنك الله فسيح جنانه .. وألهمنا وأحبابك الصبر والسلوان.. وإنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون . pic.twitter.com/asvSZAb4BL

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) September 21, 2026

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid his condolences to Sheikh Mohammed and the Al Maktoum family.

In a social media post, Sheikh Mohamed said the achievements of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum "will remain vivid in memory, and his national contributions stand as a testament to a life rich in giving".

I extend my sincere condolences to Mohammed bin Rashid on the passing of his brother Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose longstanding contributions to the development of the UAE since its founding continue to inspire our nation’s journey of progress. May God rest his soul… pic.twitter.com/kR3ZqSHsnK

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) September 21, 2026

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, also posted an emotional message on his official social media channels.

"Sheikh Ahmed will remain in hearts, memory, and prayers," he wrote.

حمدان بن محمد: رحم الله الشيخ أحمد بن راشد آل مكتوم.. نفقد اليوم عزيزاً من أهلنا، ونودّعه بقلوب مؤمنة بقضاء الله وقدره، سيبقى الشيخ أحمد في القلوب والذاكرة والدعاء، ونسأل الله أن يتغمّده بواسع رحمته، ويسكنه فسيح جناته، وأن يلهمنا ويلهم أهل دبي والإمارات الصبر والسلوان. إنا لله… pic.twitter.com/osTYusohXh

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 21, 2026