Dubai Declares 10-Day Mourning as Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Dies at 76

Dubai has declared 10 days of official mourning following the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the younger brother of Dubai’s Ruler and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Ahmed died on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the age of 76, with flags ordered to fly at half-mast across the emirate during the mourning period.

The announcement from the Dubai Ruler’s Court immediately placed the emirate into an official period of mourning for the senior member of the Al Maktoum ruling family. The development has triggered condolences from senior members of the UAE’s leadership and ruling families.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid mourned his younger brother in a message expressing grief and seeking divine mercy for the deceased. The announcement was also followed by condolences from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who offered sympathies to Sheikh Mohammed and members of the Al Maktoum family.

Sheikh Ahmed was born in Dubai in 1950 and was the youngest son of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who played a central role in Dubai’s development before the formation of the UAE and served as the emirate’s ruler.

He received military training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before embarking on a career in the armed forces. He subsequently held senior security and military responsibilities, including service as Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security and Commander of Dubai’s Central Military Command.

Beyond his security and public-service roles, Sheikh Ahmed maintained a strong connection with Dubai’s sporting community. He was the long-serving President of Al Wasl Sports Club, one of the emirate’s best-known sporting institutions.

His association with Al Wasl covered several sporting disciplines, including football, basketball, volleyball and handball. The club expressed its condolences following his death and acknowledged his decades of involvement in its development.

Sheikh Ahmed was also associated with business interests and served as Group Chairman of A.R.M. Holding and Dubai Real Estate Centre, adding a commercial dimension to a public life that included military, security and sporting responsibilities.

The 10-day mourning period will see flags flown at half-mast across Dubai in accordance with official mourning arrangements. The period provides an opportunity for the emirate’s institutions and residents to pay tribute to a senior member of its ruling family.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, also mourned his uncle, remembering him as a respected and cherished member of the Al Maktoum family.

Sheikh Ahmed’s death marks the passing of a senior figure whose public life stretched across military service, security administration, business and sport. As Dubai observes the 10-day mourning period, tributes continue to be expressed across the UAE in remembrance of his decades of public service.