Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, About Us, Our Patron

Our Patron

His Highness Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the deep-thinking, resourceful, compassionate and forward-looking Deputy Ruler of Dubai, was born in December 25, 1942. The second of four sons of the late ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, he was very much shaped by the times and people around which his young life revolved. His Highness Shaikh Hamdan grew up during one of the most extraordinary periods of history in the Arab world, at a time when Dubai was being moulded and developed through the genius of his father.

Shaikh Rashid's celebrated vision transformed the Emirate during the period before petro-dollars changed the face of the region. In the 1950s he drew around him an influential group of Dubai merchants, property developers and thinkers in a Majlis that was dubbed "an Arabian Camelot" by one British official in 1962, an illusion to the Kennedy White House. It was in this highly-charged atmosphere that His Highness Shaikh Hamdan learned the rudiments of leadership, sitting at his father's side in the Majlis even before he reached his teens.

In pursuing his dream of growth and prosperity, Shaikh Rashid could ill afford white elephants or financial waste, and his sons where invariably there to witness the gestation and birth of projects that would become the foundations for Dubai's future. Even while still a youth, His Highness Shaikh Hamdan emerged as one of Shaikh Rashid's closest advisors; those who served in the Majlis and knew both men remarked that his cautious, thoughtful approach to decision-making mirrored that of his father.

His Highness Shaikh Hamdan's formal schooling began in Dubai. He attended Al Madrasah Al-Ahlia, where his studies centred around mathematics, English, basic sciences, Arabic and Islamic studies. He went on to complete his further studies at the Bell School of Languages in Cambridge between 1967 and 1968. This time in Britain was one of the few periods in His Highness Shaikh Hamdan's life when he was able to live an ordinary life, away from his responsibilities and position. It was during his British sojourn that the seeds were sown for His Highness Shaikh Hamdan's future passion for thoroughbred racing, one of his favourite recreations today. He and younger brother Shaikh Mohammed attended racing for the first time, at Newmarket, on Saturday, May 5, 1967 to see the Sir Noel Murless trained Royal Palace win the 2000 Guineas.

The years following federation were a period of extraordinary development for the people of the UAE. While Dubai and Abu Dhabi had embarked upon modernisation there was still much to be done; many areas in the remaining five emirates needed electricity, roads, housing, clean water supplies and more. As Minister of Finance and Industry, His Highness Shaikh Hamdan oversaw such work, while he was also charged with developing the economy and an industrial base, almost from scratch. The UAE's rulers understood that the country could not afford to isolate its efforts in the petroleum sector, despite the fact that in 1971 almost all federal government revenues were derived from this source.

His Highness Shaikh Hamdan strove to create a nation attractive to investors and with an administrative base free, as far as possible, from red tape.

In Dubai, Shaikh Rashid also placed his second son in charge of an array of key governmental industrial enterprises, including the Dubai Aluminium Company, Dubai Gas Company and Dubai Cable Company, among others.

All went on to create tens of thousands of jobs and generate profits that were in turn ploughed back into developing Dubai. As Head of Dubai Municipality, His Highness Shaikh Hamdan remains responsible for all civic growth and for administering private development in a city that boasts around half a million inhabitants and is widely recognised for its modern outlook and development.

Promoting education, and especially the concept of life-long learning, in his own country and in others around the globe, remains a cause close to his heart. Although His Highness Shaikh Hamdan insists that such matters remain low key, he is a philanthropist and backs many charitable causes, supporting the maintenance of orphanages, schools and hospitals in poor countries among other things.

His Highness Shaikh Hamdan is a great believer in human investment to produce future scholars. As a reflection of his love and commitment to the promotion of scholarly activities, learning and education, His Highness Shaikh Hamdan has invited a delegation from the Islamic Research Academy (ISRA) on 3 April 1999 to discuss the launch of a serious effort and a great human investment in preparing an academic team of young scholars as specialists in Islamic Jerusalem Studies. This resulted in the launch of generous scholarships to reward distinguished young scholars in Islamic Jerusalem Studies. His Highness Shaikh Hamdan is also the benefactor and the Patron of the "Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Award for Medical Excellence an award instituted to reward excellence in the field of medical sciences with its comprehensive, dynamic and exciting features to benefit competing researchers, scientists & medical institutions.

Indeed, the clearest and the latest example of his devotion to educational activities, even outside Dubai, is the establishment of Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Dundee.

His less visible role as a minister and guardian of the UAE economy is his greatest success. In December 2001, the United Arab Emirates marked the 30th anniversary of its creation. Over the three decades since he played a role in the creation of the federation, under the auspices of his ministry, the economy has diversified and grown to offer opportunities to all the country's citizens and a large expatriate workforce. Today, less than half the UAE's Gross National Product is oil related and even during periods of global recession, the emirates has consistently recorded growth levels well above the international average.

In Dubai, where His Highness Shaikh Hamdan is now Deputy Ruler, the emirate is shaping up for the future with a big reputation as a place to do business, a regional aviation and banking hub and one of the world's major new tourist destinations.

His Highness Shaikh Hamdan has received numerous honours and awards for his achievements as benefactor of educational and other good causes.