The United Arab Emirates is mourning the death of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who passed away on Wednesday aged 76.
Sheikh Hamdan witnessed all stages of the UAE’s journey and tremendously contributed to the national development drive. He was one of the country’s leaders and participated in its renaissance and in designing its future. He was a remarkable icon of the country’s political, economic, social, cultural, and sporting life.
Sheikh Hamdan was born in 1945, the second son of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. He was appointed the Minister of Finance during the formation of the first UAE Cabinet on Dec. 9, 1971, and remained in this position until his death. He was known for his interest in humanitarian work and his passion for culture, literature, and science.